Chapter 11 - Old Memories

Bailey stood before Dane, her features down turning into a scowl. A flood of memories ran through his head as he gauged in her familiar appearance. Their joyous family gatherings always took place right here inside Iron Horse. Each day, they would spend hours idly roaming each bend in the road.

But those days were gone. That carefree boy was gone.

Now the woman before him, eyes once soft and loving turned wary and jaded. There were hard edges around her face structure, wrinkles and spots that were never present before. It was sad watching yourself turn into someone you didn't know but even more heart wrenching to find a woman you love, look at you with the most unwanted emotions.

With pity, anger, and disappointment.

"I thought you were dead," Bailey croaked out under her breath, narrowing her eyes at the ski mask, the unkept beard, and the long hair.

She reached out to touch the side of Dane's jaw. He nearly shrank away from her hand. Her warmth.

"Dane, it really is you. Tell me, what have you been up to?"

The Dane she knew was dead. He died that day three years ago and it haunted him like a nightmare each waking moment. He swirled the third glass of whiskey, watching as his reflection in the liquid of the young innocent boy he once knew turned into the most ugly, detestable version of himself.

"I've been coping."

"Coping? Dear god Dane, everyone thinks you're dead! I thought you were dead but I never gave up. I've spent all these years looking for my grandson and out of the blue, you show up here like you don't know me. Do you realize I almost had a heart attack?"

"Bailey," he said, gauging the mean looks directed at him as if he were bullying an elderly woman. "I have my reasons."

"I can't believe you would treat me so coldly. What happened to the Dane that would call me Nana? And just how can I keep my calm? My grandson," Bailey begins to choke on her words and break out into sobs. "Dane my grandson, you're really alive. I'm not dreaming, am I?"

Bailey desperately searched his eyes. She searched for the boy that no longer existed. Dane smiled wryly and gathered her hand into his. Her hands felt the same when they used to hold his hand. Still warm, open, and forgiving. Bailey squeezed back without hesitation.

"Everything I do is for a reason. Just know Bailey, I will be back soon and when I am back I'll make sure that I come for you."

Bailey's eyes widen, recognition crossing her features. "Dane. What are you planning?"

"I should get going now. My fiancee must have grown tired of waiting."

The word 'fiancee' rolls on his tongue oddly. Oddly to the point that he has become used to addressing her as such. Bailey shook her head and sighed. She tossed the cottage keys over to him. The both of them knew that if she tried asking more questions, she wouldn't be getting any more answers out of him. Just more questions left unanswered.

"I'll be waiting for that day to come. Don't you go dying on me before your old Nana can."