The Russian Billionaire’s Secret(109)

I love you, Eddie. I always will. With all of my heart, I am sorry.

Forever Yours,

Lars

Eddie unfolded the check and her jaw dropped. It was made out to her for ten million dollars. She put her hands over her face and cried.

Sondra entered her room. “Eddie, what is it?”

Eddie showed her the letter and Annulment papers and the check.

Sondra hugged her friend. “He did you wrong, Eddie, but he is trying to do the right thing now.”

“Do I have to forgive him?”

“In your own time, it is in your best interest to forgive him. But for now, use the money to fulfill your vision, Eddie. It is a real blessing.”

Eddie hugged Sondra and cried some more.

Chapter 10

Opening Day

Lars felt like he was in a tailspin for the past three months. He was so ashamed of falling for Tanya’s antics and getting pulled in to her clutches. He knew after seeing Eddie’s face that he needed to make a real change, not just a temporary one that allowed him his inheritance, but one that would make him the man Eddie actually saw.

He took his grandfather’s suggestion of getting back to his roots and spent a month riding his horse from North Dakota to Denver. He travelled the way the old cowboys did – sleeping under the stars at night, and hunting rabbits for food. It was surprising how much undeveloped land there still was in North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

About once a week he would ride into a town, clean up and get a good meal and collect supplies for the next week of riding. The quiet and solitude gave him real perspective. There were no women distracting him, no belt buckle to show off, and nowhere to spend money. It was just him, the land, the wild animals and his Maker. This was what Eddie found when she moved to Canada – serenity and peace from within her soul. No wonder she wanted a place where others could experience it.

He wrote many letters to Eddie during the quiet nights near the campfire. He didn’t know until he returned home that she had sent them all back to him unopened.

While in Denver, he worked at a friend’s cattle ranch just like all of the other cowboys. No one there even knew he had money. It felt good to be just a normal guy again. He hadn’t realized how much having money had changed him. His grandfather always said that hard work is what made a man. Now that he was working hard every day again, he remembered how true that statement was.

On his return home, Lars tried calling Eddie whenever he was in a town. She never would answer.

Once he arrived back home, after three months of travel and work, Anders welcomed him with a big bear hug.

“I’ve missed you, boy. I’m glad you’re home,” Anders said.

Lars sat down and opened up to his grandfather. He told him all that happened with Eddie and Tanya. He broke down and cried at his horrific mistake and terrible loss.

Anders listened and nodded. He patted Lars on the back.

“I can see you’ve changed through all of this, Lars. You don’t strut around with arrogance and lust anymore. You have grown up. You have become a man. A man I am proud to call my grandson, and one worthy of your inheritance.”

“But too late for what I want more than anything. I miss her, Grandpa. I love Eddie.”

Anders nodded and paused in thought. “Maybe it is not too late. Did you ever find out if Tanya is in fact carrying your child?”

“Yes. I requested a paternal DNA test. I received the results a few months ago. The child is not mine.”

Anders raised his eyebrows. “Alright, then. You may need to let Eddie go in order to find out if she will ever come back. Give her time. Then show her how you’ve changed. I could see the change right away. She will too when she is ready. Be patient.”

Two years past. Lars had continued to raise money for Frontier Forever, and had been in communication with Sondra regarding the progress on Eddie’s plan. After the last two years of asking Sondra if Eddie would be open to seeing him, Sondra finally told him she thought Eddie would welcome him on opening day on the park, just a few months away.

Lars drove up to Kenosee Lake. His heart was beating quickly and his stomach was filled with butterflies. He couldn’t wait to see that striking, ebony face again. Just seeing her would lift his spirits. He loved her more now than he ever did before. He hoped and prayed she would see it and trust it.

Opening day at Frontier Forever was filled with curious tourists, Provincial politicians, reporters and all kinds of media representatives. Lars drove up to the main cabin and walked through the exhibits with maps and information about all there was to see and learn. He was amazed at what Eddie had accomplished, and was filled with pride for her.

“Lars?”

He looked over and saw the love of his life wearing a white, flowing skirt, a classy blouse and her white cowboy hat.

“Wow,” Lars said. “You are even more beautiful than I remembered.”

Eddie smiled. “Thanks for coming, and for all you did to make this happen. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to express my gratitude for your financial contribution. I should have. I just…”

Lars walked toward her and put his finger over her exquisite lips. “You don’t owe me a thing. I’m so proud of you and this place. It is an honor to be part of it.”

Eddie looked into his eyes. “You seem different.”

“Thank God. I am different.” He took her hands. “I’m not the fool you knew two years ago. I know what is important in life now.”