Written In Stone

merely smiled and stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. She helped Angie with her hair, laid towels carefully on the wheelchair seat, and helped Angie into it, wrapping her up.
    "Are you going to tell me who is here without so much as an invitation?" Angie rolled her eyes, and Mrs. Waterston made a motion with her fingers that told Angie her lips were sealed. "Oh, please, how juvenile are we now?"
    "It's a surprise; now let's get you dressed so you can greet your guest properly."
    Angie chose a day dress after she put on her undergarments, but Mrs. Waterston quickly pulled it from her hands. "You can't greet a guest in a day dress, put on a walking dress. You look so pretty in this blue one," the older woman suggested.
    "Very well." Angie accepted the dress with another roll of her eyes. "I certainly hope this guest is worth all this fuss."
    Mrs. Waterston pursed her lips and said nothing, but the glow on her face and the twinkle in her eyes now had Angie trying to guess who might be waiting to see her. When Mrs. Waterston finished with Angie's hair, she pushed the wheelchair out of the room and down the hall to the parlor. Angie almost swallowed her tongue when she saw just who her guest was.
    "Mr. Stone," she gasped.
    " Mrs. Elliott." Gavin rose from his chair with a smile and took her hand, kissing it properly. "How are you today? You look radiant. And please call me Gavin."
    She was radiant? Could he see she was blushing? Did he know about the dream? No, how could he? Oh my, if he knows, I'll simply die!
    "I'm, um, wonderful, Gavin. And please call me Angie, all of my friends do," she managed to sound steady, she hoped. "What brings you here today?"
    Gavin flashed his most charming smile, and Angie felt her heart flip. "I just wanted to make sure the incident last night didn't interfere with your sleep. Did you sleep well, Angie?"
    Angie refused to look at her companion and instead said, "I slept very well, thank you for inquiring. Mrs. Waterston, could you see to the tea please?"
    "And leave you unchaperoned?" Mrs. Waterston said with surprise.
    "I am quite sure I will be alright in my own home," Angie said, looking at Mr. Stone. "Won't I?"
    "I am quite sure," he replied, without the slightest hint of a smile.
    Mrs. Waterston hauled herself out of the chair where she'd been sitting and left to see about the tea, muttering all the while.
    "You'll have to forgive my caregiver; she is part bulldog as well." Angie laughed.
    It was music to Gavin's ears and he hoped to hear her laugh a lot more in the future. "I'm sure she's just concerned about your reputation."
    "Yes, she is and I don't know what I'd do without her," Angie said soberly, but brightening as she remembered her guest. "What brought you out today, Mr. Stone?"
    "Gavin," he corrected her.
    "Of course, Gavin." She smiled.
    "Yes, Mr. Stone, what brought you here today?" Mrs. Waterston inquired, setting the tray of tea and cakes on the table.
    "My parents are hosting a grand party, and I decided to deliver your invitation in person," he said, fishing the invitation from the pocket of his waistcoat.
    Angie accepted the envelope and turned it over to see her name and address on the front. Mrs. Waterston was positively aglow at the news. "How wonderful!" She nearly squealed with delight. "Angie, isn't it kind of Mr. Stone to deliver the invitation personally?"
    Angie smiled slightly at her companion, opened the invitation, and read it over. "Next Friday evening?"
    "Yes." Gavin nodded.
    "I'm sorry. I have plans for that evening," she told him.
    "Pardon?" He said, gaping.
    "Angela Elliott," Mrs. Waterston started.
    "I have plans, Mrs. Waterston." Angie said stubbornly, turning her wheelchair to leave the room. "I'm sorry I can't attend, Mr. Stone. I hope you have a wonderful time." With that, she rolled away and out of sight.
    Gavin stared at the empty space where Angie had just been sitting, then stood to take his leave. "Thank you, Mrs. Waterston. I can find the door myself."
    " Mr. Stone, please." Mrs. Waterston took his arm, and Gavin turned to her. "Angie isn't herself. She hasn't been since the accident. Please forgive her, she just feels so useless and…"
    Gavin patted the older woman's hand gently. "Don't fret, Mrs. Waterston. I fully intend to have Mrs. Elliott by my side at the party."
    "You do? How? May I be of some help?"
    "Perhaps, but for now, let's make this our little secret, shall we?"
    "Of course, but should there be anything I