MOVING ON(17)

“Take care of her, Peter. She’s a keeper.”

Peter waved goodbye and headed back home.

****

Rose watched as Laura poured another cup of tea. There was a grace to the other woman that Rose knew she was lacking. Laura looked comfortable and confident in her own skin while Rose felt anything but.

She listened to Laura talk about her marriage and the children. The other woman sounded so happy.

“Did you ever love Peter?” Rose asked.

Laura paused, turning to stare at her.

“I’m sorry. That’s rude.”

“No, it’s not rude at all. I know there’s a lot of gossip around town. You’ve not lived with Peter long have you?” Laura asked, bringing over the two cups.

“This is my first night.” Biting her lip Rose stared at the other woman wondering what she’d make of her words.

“Peter’s and my relationship goes a long way back. We went to the same high school. We were not really good friends, and I tutored him in high school.” Laura shook her head smiling. “College was when things started to change. It’s crazy when I think back to that time. Dean hadn’t long been in Cape Falls, and I’d already fallen for him. I found out later that Peter had fallen in love with me.”

Rose waited as the woman paused in her story.

“I fell pregnant with Dean’s baby. He’d left, and everything went to hell and back. Peter was always there. I never let it get far. I knew he was in love with me, but I made it clear that my love for Dean would always hold me back.” Laura laughed. “He was going to raise my child as his own.”

“Peter is a good guy.” Rose agreed.

“He’s the best. Peter wasn’t always good. Growing up he was a bully and a jerk. When I see him now, I’m shocked by the transformation inside him. He’s amazing and nothing like the guy I remember from our early years.”

“His love for you hasn’t changed,” Rose said.

Laura sighed. “I can’t speak for his feelings, Rose. I’ve never encouraged him. He’s my best friend, and yes, he’s the person I turn to.” Laura licked her lips. “I thought Dean was cheating on me, but he’d gotten cancer. Peter was there for me and Dean. I don’t know about his feelings anymore.”

“That kind of love doesn’t go away,” Rose said, hurting inside.

“Or it changes without anyone realising it.”

Rose frowned, not understanding the other woman.

“Peter is stubborn. You mean something to him, Rose.”

She wasn’t going to dispute Laura’s words. There was no need to fight what Rose already knew. Peter was in love with Laura, and that was never going to change.

The sound of the front door opening made Rose pause. She still wore her nightshirt. Peter appeared in the doorway, stopping when he saw Laura. He was soaking wet, and she finally heard the rain falling outside. His eyes widened, and Rose saw his guard fall into place.

“Laura, what are you doing here?” Peter asked.

His gaze remained rooted on Laura’s face. Rose knew she didn’t stand a chance even if his gaze had looked more shocked than happy by Laura’s appearance.

“She came to see you, and I’ve taken up too much of your time.” Rose stood, leaving her cup on the table. “It was lovely to meet you, Laura.” She smiled at the other woman and left them alone in the kitchen. Making her way upstairs, Rose left her door partially ajar.

Going to the window she sat down on the sofa in the corner in the room. She watched the rain falling in the dark night. It was still warm. Holding onto her knees she wondered what was happening downstairs. Tears filled her eyes and fell down her cheeks as another wave of pain consumed her. She couldn’t handle the pain. Peter was in love with a woman who she had no chance of competing with.

Laura was a lucky woman to have two men who loved her. All Rose wanted was to have one man love her.

Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Rose stared out of the window wondering what she was going to do with her life.

Staying with Peter for any length of time was out of the question. She couldn’t live with him, knowing he wanted another woman.

Rose watched the rain fall down the windows finding little comfort in the constant pitter-patter of the rain hitting the windows. Even if she didn’t stay with Peter there was no chance she was going back home.

Brad was dangerous news. There was never any proof of what he did to women. What could she do?

Shaking the fears from her thoughts she allowed herself to relax. Peter wasn’t going to kick her out of his home. She had a few weeks to get her bearings back.

****

Brad kicked over the television watching it smash. He’d been told by his father that Rose hadn’t been kidnapped. She’d gone with Peter Miller willingly. The fucking bitch was supposed to be his woman. He’d planned everything. Rose was going to be his wife, and she was going to do everything she was told.