Nora Roberts - Born in Shame

Prologue

Amanda dreamed dreadful dreams. Colin was there, his sweet, well-loved face crushed with sorrow. Mandy, he said. He never called her anything but Mandy. His Mandy, my Mandy, darling Mandy. But thered been no smile in his voice, no laugh in his eyes.

Mandy, we cant stop it. I wish we could. Mandy, my Mandy, I miss you so. But I never thought youd have to come so soon after me. Our little girl, its so hard for her. And itll get harder. You have to tell her, you know.

He smiled then, but it was sad, so sad, and his body, his face, that had seemed so solid, so close that shed reached out in sleep to touch him, began to fade and shimmer away.

You have to tell her, he repeated. We always knew you would. She needs to know where she comes from. Who she is. But tell her, Mandy, tell her never to forget that I loved her. I loved my little girl.

Oh, dont go, Colin. She moaned in her sleep, pining for him. Stay with me. I love you, Colin. My sweet Colin. I love you for all you are.

But she couldnt bring him back. And couldnt stop the dream.

Oh, how lovely to see Ireland again, she thought, drifting like mist over the green hills she remembered from so long ago. See the river gleam, like a ribbon all silver and bright around a gift without price.

And there was Tommy, darling Tommy, waiting for her. Turning to smile at her, to welcome her.

Why was there such grief here, when she was back and felt so young, so vibrant, so in love?

I thought Id never see you again. Her voice was breathless, with a laugh on the edges of it. Tommy, Ive come back to you.

He seemed to stare at her. No matter how she tried, she could get no closer than an arm span away from him. But she could hear his voice, as clear and sweet as ever.

I love you, Amanda. Always. Never has a day passed that I havent thought of you, and remembered what we found here.

He turned in her dream to look out over the river where the banks were green and soft and the water quiet.

You named her for the river, for the memory of the days we had.

Shes so beautiful, Tommy. So bright, so strong. Youd be proud.

I am proud. And how I wish... But it couldnt be. We knew it. You knew it. He sighed, turned back. You did well for her, Amanda. Never forget that. But youre leaving her now. The pain of that, and what youve held inside all these years, makes it so hard. You have to tell her, give her her birthright. And let her know, somehow let her know that I loved her. And would have shown her if I could.

I cant do it alone, she thought, struggling out of sleep as his image faded away. Oh, dear God, dont make me do it alone.

Mom. Gently, though her hands shook, Shannon stroked her mothers sweaty face. Mom, wake up. Its a dream. A bad dream. She understood what it was to be tortured by dreams, and knew how to fear wakingas she woke every morning now afraid her mother would be gone. There was desperation in her voice. Not now, she prayed. Not yet. You need to wake up.

Shannon. Theyre gone. Theyre both of them gone. Taken from me.

Ssh. Dont cry. Please, dont cry. Open your eyes now, and look at me.

Amandas lids fluttered open. Her eyes swam with grief. Im sorry. So sorry. I did only what I thought right for you.

I know. Of course you did. She wondered frantically if the delirium meant the cancer was spreading to the brain. Wasnt it enough that it had her mothers bones? She cursed the greedy disease, and cursed God, but her voice was soothing when she spoke. Its all right now. Im here. Im with you.

With an effort Amanda drew a long, steadying breath. Visions swam in her headColin, Tommy, her darling girl. How anguished Shannons eyes werehow shattered they had been when shed first come back to Columbus.