The Promise Pact (Promise to Love Book 1) (16 page)

Max walked to the window and placed his anxious hands on the glass. He needed to do something to rectify this mess.

He said to Kaya, “I’ll call my job and take a leave of absence. You already have time off so let’s go and finish the garden.” She was lost in her thoughts, gazing at the letter that was sitting squarely in her face. Max sat down next to her and rubbed his hand on her face. Then he stood.

“Read your letter. I’m going to pack.” He walked away from the table. His letter still sitting there untouched. With timid hands she reached out and ripped the envelope open. She unfolded the paper and ran her eyes across the length of the document. It was much longer than the first letter she had received from Ms. Roy.

My Dearest Kaya,

If you are reading this then I know you’ve already been to then garden and fallen in love with my dear Max.

How in the hell did she know that?

He’s a jewel who just doesn’t know his worth yet. His parents and money have warped his sense of right and wrong and he’s struggling in this world alone. He’s a good man, I’m sure you’ve seen his kindness by now. Kaya, you have a way of bringing out the best in people and that’s why I am entrusting you to him.

Entrusting? What was she saying?

Kaya, I’m counting on you to love, care and nurture him no matter what. You will be challenged in this journey but don’t give up, he’s special.

She breathed deeply with tears in her eyes. He already proven to be special. Every word on the letter had been right, so far.

I never had the heart to tell you this, but years after the party he searched for you. At the time you were dating someone and he was devastated. I couldn’t get through to him during that time. He was angry and bitter, so he buried himself in his career. Kaya, I knew then you both needed a second real chance at love, that’s the reason for my garden, your garden. Sweet Kaya, the garden will lead you both home. Just let the earth speak to you! Plant, harvest, and nurture your love. It’s the most important gift of all.

Love, Mom

Her heart burst with emotions. Why hadn’t Max ever confessed that he came back for her? Her brief romance with Bryson had only been a distraction, a distraction from Max.

The last few months had been a whirlwind of emotions but she was stronger because of it all.

She tucked her letter in her pocket, leaving Max’s on the table untouched. It was time to pack and finish what she had started. They were headed back to Charleston to finish the garden.

***

Max snuggled close to her for the entire flight to Charleston. She could tell he had a lot on his mind. She rubbed his head and kissed him gently when the plane landed on the tarmac. She wanted to ask him why he hadn’t read his letter. Why he chose to leave it on the table, instead of bringing it with them, but his demons were creeping in and she wanted to respect his space. When they finally arrived at the garden, they were welcomed with thunderous applause from the children. The little helpers had dozens of stories to tell but Max’s favorite little subject, the girl with the red ponytail, was nowhere to be found. He was worried.

“Ms. Thomas where’s Anne?” Max asked with concern, looking around the garden unable to spot her.

Her face went pale.

Kaya could sense something was wrong.

“Max, they placed her in the foster care system after her grandmother died a few weeks back.” Kaya went numb. This was eerily identical to her own personal story. Luckily, her grandmother had been there for her. The system was known to eat, chew, and spit kids out, one by one. Anne was too young to be caught up in the system.

“Didn’t she have any other family in the area? Why did this happen?” He asked with anger in his voice. He’d been a lawyer for years and knew how the foster care system had ruined so many lives.

“No, unfortunately there was no one to take Anne, so the state placed her in a home with ten other children.”

Max didn’t want to hear anymore. He needed to get started on the garden. He was here to restore a garden and nothing more. Anne, wasn’t any of his business. He didn’t want or need children in his life. He only wanted Kaya. But the unexplained ache in his heart was tearing at him.

“Ms. Thomas, can we see her? Is there any way we could take some clothes and toys to her?” Kaya asked.

“Y-Yes, I can call some friends of mine down at Social Services and arrange a supervised visit. I’m not sure when, but I will make sure something happens.”

Max didn’t say anything. Kaya shook her head with tears in her eyes.

“Kaya, we need to get started on the garden, okay?” He pressed her hand and guided her to the path. The children followed quickly behind. For the rest of the day, they toiled away at the half finished garden. They were happy but something was eating away at both of them.

***

It was going to be a mild winter in Charleston, South Carolina and both Max and Kaya were grateful. Forecasters were already predicting record snowfall in New York so they both basked in the fact they were living in 50 degree weather. The only thing that could top this was the tropics.

Of course there was less daylight, which meant fewer hours in the garden. However, Ms. Walker had solicited the support of several community volunteers which meant the garden would be completed sooner than they thought. By spring, everyone in the community would be able to enjoy the wonderful foods and plants they all had harvested. All except Anne.

Kaya was unusually tired. The long hours in the garden coupled by greasy, late night takeout for the past week and a half, was taking a toll on her. She decided they were going to the supermarket, like normal people, after they tossed the shovel and garden hose to the side for the day.

The busy southern market was packed when they arrived. Fresh canned veggies, homemade soup and southern cuisine tickled their nostrils as they entered. Max randomly tossed in a month’s worth of items into a shopping cart. He was clueless about what to purchase. His fresh, razor cut face and crisp, chocolate brown sweater tickled her sensual senses as he looked around the building. He was a brilliant man but unexperienced when it came to “normal people” activities. Kaya didn’t care, she was in love. She pinched him and they giggled like kids when he confessed he’d never gone grocery shopping in his life.

“Rich Daddy Warbucks,” she snickered under her voice slapping his hand and immediately placing a kiss on it afterwards to show she cared. He bent his more than 6 foot body down, near the produce department, and kissed her passionately. He didn’t mind showing physical affection to the woman he loved.

After they purchased all the items they needed he pulled the car to the front of the market to load the groceries. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a familiar face. He blinked, squinted, and shook his head in fright.

“It couldn’t be,” he said to himself in a reassuring tone but he knew exactly who it was.

It was Anne.

The once lighthearted, cheerful child looked full of despair and anguish. Her bright, cheery smile was now replaced with a sad, distant look that made her invisible in a crowd. She was dirty. Anne’s once bright, auburn pig tails had been cut off into some horrible pixie style. Max’s heart sank. Kaya could see the look of horror on his face and her eyes drifted off to see what he was looking at. She was sick. It couldn’t be, there was no way anyone could allow this to happen. She dropped the large grocery bag back into the cart and ran towards Anne. Max walked over too. Kaya’s medical experience told her she needed to approach her calmly and carefully, but nothing in all her training could prepare her for this.

“Max slow, don’t touch her. We don’t want to frighten her,” she said trying to collect herself and gain control of the situation. The temperature had dropped another 10 degrees and Anne and two other children were standing in front, wearing only a thin coat panhandling. Her runny nose, pale skin and gaunt face told Kaya that she’d hadn’t had nourishment in days. Someone was abusing and using her, and Max was pissed.

Kaya knelt down, but didn’t touch her. She clasped her hands together then spoke, “Hey Anne, do you remember who I am?” she asked while trying to hold back the tears.

Anne didn’t speak. She continued to ring the bell in her hand, trying to handle the assignment that was given to her. Max carefully moved next to Kaya and squatted as well.

Looking at Anne intently, Max asked, “Don’t you remember us?” He tried to obey Kaya’s directions but couldn’t help himself; he reached out and stroked her damaged locks. Her eyes were dark, she was somewhere far away. Max was born into wealth but not love. He learned from a young age that trust was hard to come by. But Ms. Roy had taught him differently, taught him you have to give in order to receive. It was time for him to dig deep and remember her wisdom and guidance. He tried again.

“I thought you were my most loyal subject Anne. I would really like to talk to you for a few minutes,” he stated desperately.

The cool air was now turning cold.

“Don’t you remember the garden Anne, and all the wonderful plant and vegetables we were planting?” She didn’t budge nor blink. Then Max moved his hand on top of her head, as though he was performing a coronation.

“I beseech you fair maiden, I am no ordinary man. I am royalty and I would like for you to be a part of the royal court. Will you accept?” Then he saw it, a small hesitant glimmer of trust.

She blinked. A small faint smile crossed her face. Her voice shivered as she spoke, “Hello, King Max,” she said bowing to him in respect.

Kaya wept hysterically. It was too much to take in. Max spoke again, “Hello, Princess Anne,” he stated touching her face. Anne’s eyes met Kaya’s and she spoke again, “You’re silly King Max. Princess Kaya is the princess not me,” she corrected, shivering in the air. She sneezed and coughed.

Kaya tore off her sweater and wrapped it around the child.

“Are you here to rescue me King Max?” She queried with tears in her little eyes. He never answered, he only responded by scooping her up in his arms. Then he looked down at the other two children who looked mortified, apparently afraid they would be punished.

Emphatically, Max told Kaya, “Call the police. Call them now!”

***

Max and Kaya had spent the entire night in the children’s wing of Medical University of South Carolina’s hospital. Anne and the two other children were severely dehydrated but they showed no signs of physical harm.

The night before, Max had filed papers with the court for emergency temporary custody, until they could find a permanent family or good foster home Anne. He had called in every favor ever owed to him, and with the help of his law firm connections, a local judge had granted him temporary custody.

At little after 7 pm that afternoon they both were cleared as temporary guardians for Anne. Fortunately, Social Services had found good, stable foster homes for the other children.

Anne slept the entire ride to the beach house. Kaya wanted to stop by the store to purchase a few items for her but was too afraid to leave her alone for one minute. When they arrived at the beach house, Kaya ran in first to prepare a bath. Max carried Anne tightly against his chest, afraid to move too fast or too slow.

“Let me have her Max,” Kaya said, snuggling her in her arms. She looked down lovingly at the exhausted child.

“Anne. I’m going to bathe you in a special magical potion. This magical potion will give you special powers. Are you ready?” Her head popped up in delight.

“Yes,” she shouted jumping out of her arms and dashing towards the bathroom.

Max smiled and headed to the car to collect the groceries that weren’t spoiled from the day before. He needed to prepare her something, but he didn’t know the first thing about cooking. He whipped together a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips and waited. Thirty minutes later they reappeared, Anne looking clean and a little happier, in an oversized shirt Kaya had tied to the side. She ran to Max and bowed, “Thanks King Max, for rescuing from the evil kingdom. Every night I prayed you would return and you did. You are the best,” she said falling into his arms.

Kaya watched from afar as he hugged her back and then grabbed her tiny little hands, directing her to the kitchen table. She knew this was a lot for him to take in.

Anne devoured the sandwich then burped loudly as she gulped down the milk. He could only imagine the last time she had decent food. Her eyes were drifting in and out by the time she finished the last drop of milk.

“Time for bed,” Kaya stated lifting her into her arms.

“No, no, no Princess Kaya! I don’t want to sleep by myself,” she uttered with a startled look in her eyes.

Kaya hadn’t expected her to say that but after the pain she had endured it was reasonable. She looked to Max for guidance.

“You both can sleep in my old room. I’ll take yours Kaya,” he said rubbing his hands over his face.

He was exhausted. She had planned to talk to him about everything that had transpired that night but now that was impossible.

“No, I want you both to stay with me. Don’t leave please,” she cried. Max took a deep breath and turned off the kitchen lights while Kaya grabbed Anne’s hand. They entered the room. He pulled the sheets back and she jumped in. Kaya snuggled close to her.

“Sleep, you both should sleep. I need a long shower,” Max stated walking into the bathroom. A range of emotions were flooding through his mind. Just a few months ago, he had been one of the most eligible millionaire bachelors in New York and now he was rescuing abused children. He stood motionless as the warm water trickled down his back for nearly forty minutes, until the sound of the opening door startled him out of his thoughts. The woman he loved stood before him, their eyes met through the fog.

“I love you,” she uttered reaching in to turn off the water. He stepped out. She dried him completely, from head to toe. She wasn’t there for them to make love. She was there to merely comfort him, her man. The man who had opened his heart more than she could have possibly imagined. He reached out and tugged her close against his massive chest, “You always know what I need. What would I do without you?” In that moment, Kaya knew what she wanted more than anything but she didn’t know how to tell him. Telling him would mean the end of the relationship forever.