Johnny Ryan and Nora Reardon appeared to Olivia that night in her dreams. Olivia had a very fertile imagination and having her favorite aunt in the house was putting her imagination into overdrive. Olivia had seen pictures of her Aunt Nola and Uncle Quinton when they first got married, so whenever she imagined Johnny and Nora, she imagined them just as her relatives looked at that time, only separated by 100 years of time and fashion. Olivia truly believed when she had dreams that she was visiting with people from the past or secretly communicating with those in her current life. However, since her aunt and uncle separated, Johnny and Nora would only appear in her dreams separately. She dreamt that once again, the bell would not ring in the church tower in the Irish village. Olivia was not certain, but she thought that Nora had whispered something to her about Thornway Road, and the "answer" being there. Johnny said he would go there to get Nora, but then the dream, as dreams often do, got even more unclear and enigmatic.

Olivia awoke suddenly, "Thornway Road? What is that?" She ran down the hall to Nola’s guest room to see if she was still awake, but the door was closed and she saw no light and heard no sounds, so she quietly crept back to her room. In the morning, she would ask Aunt Nola about Thornway Road.

Nola had fallen asleep, but within a few hours she was again wide awake, stirred by an upsetting anxiety dream that she had about Quinton. She had tried her best to block out how much she missed Quinton, and specifically how much she missed him as a lover. But somehow that evening, she had gotten caught up in the mood and the martinis and let it all slip out. It slipped out not only to her friends and family, but she herself had to face how much she missed their intimacy. Quinton was an absolute perfect combination of a gentle yet passionate lover. She had greatly misjudged what he would be like, in part because she was less experienced than she thought, and because he had always come across as so reserved and quiet. As she tried to relax, she vividly recalled their wedding night.

June 24,1983

It had been the most perfect seduction, and they barely said a word. From the moment that they undressed each other for the first time, it was as if a whole new world in its exquisite perfection was brought into focus for her. His slow lingering pace was almost excruciating, but Nola trusted him completely, and she knew in her heart that this was the first of innumerable ecstasies they would share in their future together.

Nola’s heart beat rapidly as Quinton carried her from the gazebo up to their bedroom. He never once stopped gazing into her eyes and gingerly placed her on the bed, as if she was the most delicate ceramic doll. He then slowly removed her silk robe to reveal her sheer ivory peignoir. His intensity as he gazed into her eyes, caressed her lips, and smoothed his fingers down her throat sent an explosive charge through her identical to the effect his first glance, first kiss, and first caress had had. As their kissing grew more passionate, she bravely moved her hands to remove his robe. He shifted slightly, and the robe fell to the side of the bed. He took his time exploring and kissing every spot on her neck, and the swell of her breasts, while she drew him closer. Her desire for him was already more than she ever imagined or experienced. She became a bit nervous, when he began to slip off her peignoir, wanting so badly to please him and realizing that this would be the first time he would see her. Throughout, he retained almost the same mesmerized and loving expression, which immediately wiped away any of her insecurities. The first time his fingers and then his lips made contact with her breasts was as if electricity shot through her body all the way down to her toes. As he finally pressed his body more tightly against hers, just as he intended, she felt how much he wanted her. The evidence of his desire tight against her belly released something in Nola as she finally let her hands more freely explore his body, removing the ascot that was loosely wrapped around his neck. In response to this, Quinton removed in a few swift movements the last of both of their clothing, and he vigorously tossed them aside as his breathing got noticeably heavier and less controlled. He surrendered to his passion for a moment and devoured her mouth and caressed her body. Then with every bit of self control he could muster, he attempted to regain his composure and pull back a bit to marvel at her fully nude body, seemingly glowing in the dim light. He was absolutely determined to provide his young wife with an experience, he was certain, she had never before known. Her body writhed under his long lingering gaze, and her eyes greedily took him in as she exhaled a long deep sigh. He delighted in having his new lover fully presented to him in this extremely vulnerable way. Their arousal levels escalated, as he resisted touching her for a few moments, allowing her to fully absorb and appreciate the sight of his aroused body. Once a small smile spread across her face in realization that she was being watched watching him, he leaned down and pressed even harder against her. He nipped sweetly at her ear lobe and whispered in a hushed husky voice how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. The voice she heard and felt in her ear between his ragged breaths, a private voice reserved only for a lover, was one that until this moment she had never before heard. Feeling his skin hot against her own, his warm breath in her ear, and his body heavy on top of her, she quietly pleaded, “Now,” attempting to guide him to where she wanted him.

His intensity, however, was not to be interrupted as he whispered, “Not yet my love, tonight I’m going to make you feel something wonderful.”

She was to learn a lot about Quinton that night, and a lot about the profound connection between a man and woman, inspired by love and making love. Certain things need not and should not be rushed.

Nola had felt things that night that she had never experienced before, and perhaps the most amazing part of all was that it was just the beginning of a wonderful life of love with a man who loved her more than he loved his own life. Her husband was a man who would be able to show her that she deserved the very best in life.

Nola felt her body responding as the memory continued to unfold in graphic detail in her mind. Those memories and the many others she made with him afterwards kept flashing in her mind: snapshot images of their lovemaking, of their tangled bodies, the way he would smell and taste. Her own heavy breathing and stifled moans filled her brain, as she softly trembled and then drifted off to sleep with a few bittersweet tears coursing down her cheeks.

As Quinton unsuccessfully tried to sleep, he decided it was time to take definitive and serious action to get Nola back. He could tell by the tone in her voice on the phone that she was becoming more receptive. There was something distinctly different about the way she sounded and said his name that made him certain that the time had come for him to strongly pursue her, to court her again. He resolved to go to Springfield after her.

Olivia had a hard time getting back to sleep that night before and she couldn't wait until the morning to speak with Nola. When 8 am came, she started checking every few minutes to see signs that Nola was awake. Finally at about 8:20 am she heard Nola moving about her room, so she knocked on her door to be invited inside.

"Did you guys have a good time last night?" Olivia wanted to know.

"We did. It was really what I needed. Did you know that your mom had invited Aunt Maureen and Aunt Vanessa?" Nola asked as she packed her suitcase.

"Of course I did. I told mom that she should invite them. Well, we kind of both thought it up. I love Aunt Maureen, but I really thought that Aunt Vanessa would add some extra flavor for the evening. She cracks me up. You know there are just certain people you always want at a party, and you and Aunt Vanessa are like that. And put you together and kaboom."

"She certainly did make the evening interesting," Nola remarked wryly.

"I just love how snotty she can be with all her "Darlings" and "Dears" and no matter how un-pc it is, she's out there with some over-the-top, ostentatious fur coat."

"Everyone wore those back in the 80s. You should have seen the chinchilla coat that your Uncle Quinton gave me back then."

Olivia hesitated, "Speaking of Uncle Quint, I hope you will understand, and this is what I came to tell you. Sometimes I have psychic types of experiences." She revealed in a hushed voice.

Intrigued by the young girl’s gravity, Nola matched her somber tone, "What do you mean psychic?"

"I think I sometimes meet with people past and present in my dreams, and last night I had a very bizarre dream. I think it was kind of psychic."

"Tell me about it." Nola stopped packing and invited Olivia to sit down on the bed with her.

"You know how you told Nora and me the story about Johnny Ryan and Nora Reardon and about the ringing church bell on your honeymoon? Well I dream about Johnny and Nora sometimes, and they tell me things."

"Honey, we have talked a lot about that story because Nora has the same name, but I’m sure . ."

"Aunt Nola, of all people I thought that you would believe . . ."

"I do. You know, I really do. So please tell me all about it." Nola realized that something had closed down that part of her heart and mind, but it was still there deep down inside. She desperately wanted to regain it again. Perhaps her dream-inspired niece could help her.

"Last night, I was dreaming about them, but they were not together and I think it’s because you and Uncle Quint are not together. They are very sad," Nola listened with rapt attention reaching deep into the place in her heart where she knew that idealism, magic and romanticism still lived. Olivia went on, "A lot of the dream did not make sense. You know how dreams can be. But Nora told me something that I had to ask you about. She told me that the "answer" was at Thornway Road. Do you know what that means? Do you know where Thornway Road is?"

"Don't you remember that Uncle Quint and I lived in a house on Thornway Road? It’s where we met."

"I don't think I ever knew that, Aunt Nola. I would have remembered something that sounded so dramatic and romantic."

"She said that was where the "answer" was?" Nola repeated to make sure she had the details straight.

"Yes, that is definitely what she said. And one more thing, there was something about Johnny going there to get her back."

"Can I tell you a secret Livvie? You have to promise not to tell anyone . . . not even your mom and dad or sister Nora."

"Please tell me. I love secrets and I'm great at keeping them."

"I moved back into that house already. Only Stacey and your Grandma Bea know and now Vanessa too . . ."

"You already moved back there? That is sooooo cool. Are you hoping that you can relive your courtship with Uncle Quint there?"

"I don't quite know what I expect from that house, but it just makes me feel so young and romantic being there, and I like that."

"You are the youngest old person I know, Aunt Nola. Oh, I didn't mean it to sound like that," Olivia cringed in embarrassment over her faux pas. "I just mean that for a grown up, you seem so much like a kid."

"I know what you mean. When I was your age I thought that anyone over 30 was over the hill, so I get it. Don't worry," Nola good-naturedly brushed off the remark.

"You're just so cool. Please, tell me what the house on Thornway Road is like"

"It’s in a very old section of town that’s barely still considered Springfield. The road is several miles long, but there are only a few old homes there even after all these years. At first when I moved in there, I thought it was really spooky, but now I really think the house is beautiful. It used to have a beautiful white gazebo outside and that is where I met Uncle Quinton."

"A white gazebo? That sounds very romantic. Why isn't it there anymore?"

"Actually, when we moved out of Thornway Road and into the house with Henry, Henry had the gazebo moved there, as a surprise for Quint and I."

"Maybe you should get the gazebo back?"

"Livvie, that's a wonderful idea. I can't believe I never thought of that before."

"Maybe, you can go back to the house where you lived with Henry and see if the current residents will part with it, but I'm sure they will if you tell them the romantic story.” Olivia sighed. “See it is good that you told me about Thornway Road."

"You’re going to really like this, the house has secret passageways."

"No way!" Olivia exclaimed wide eyed.

"I swear it's true . .all true. I was completely freaked out when I first found out about them."

"What a great place for you and Uncle Quint to make out," Olivia mischievously remarked.

Nola couldn’t help but laugh, “That would have been a very good idea and believe me I thought about it, but you didn't know your Uncle Quint back then. He was very mysterious and proper, and it took him months before he even got up the courage to kiss me. He was so handsome and a little distant at times, but very romantic. When I first met him, he kind of reminded me of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights and Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre."

"I LOVE love love those books. Everyone else at school complained when we had to read them, but I thought they were wonderful and romantic and Gothic. I even have the movie “Wuthering Heights” on DVD."

"Me too. I saw the movies first and then later Quinton gave me old editions of the books to read, but living in that house made me feel like I was in one of those old movies."

"I could’ve TOTALLY seen you starring in one of those old black and white movies. Who needs Joan Fontaine and Merle Oberon when Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier could’ve had Nola Reardon," Olivia sweetly joked. "Did you know that Joan Fontaine's sister was Olivia de Haviland?"

"Are you kidding me? I have been a big fan of theirs for years, long before you were even born."

"I like to believe I was named after Olivia de Haviland. Or Olivia Newton-John is cool and retro too . ." Olivia sang, "You’re the one that I want . ."

"You are the one I want, ooh, ooh, ooh, honey . ." they sang and laughed together.

"You know, Quinton knew how much I loved those old movies, so it became a tradition for him to give me heather." Nola started to feel like she was chatting on with peer about her romance.

"That is soooo romantic . .just like Heathcliff gave to his Cathy.”

“A few weeks ago Quint sent a bouquet of heather to the boarding house for me. Grandma Bea called me, and I went to pick it up. It really was beautiful"

"Awww, Aunt Nola, he loves you so much you have to go to the house on Thornway Road, so Uncle Quint can go there and sweep you off your feet just like Johnny said."

"We'll see . . maybe," Nola smiled despite herself.

“Wait a minute,” Olivia excitedly added, “ in my dream Nora was wearing some heather in her hair."

“Yes, that is how the tale went. She supposedly always wore a sprig of it in her hair.”

“Wow, I really must be visiting with them just like I thought. Otherwise how would I have known that? Actually when I see them in the dreams they look just like you two did in your wedding pictures.”

"I guess when you’re a ghost, you can stay young forever,” Nola commented with a bittersweet and nostalgic tone in her voice

"I love this. Tell me more about the house," Olivia coaxed.

"The house on Thornway Road was very gothic just like in those movies," Nola reminisced. "Yes, GOTHIC is a perfect description. And Mrs. Renfield used to remind me of Mrs. Danvers from the movie “Rebecca."

"Another great book and movie with Joan Fontaine. Aunt Nola, you JUST HAVE to take me to see the house on Thornway Road or I will simply die!!!" Olivia proclaimed with typically overdramatic enthusiasm.

"I'll see what I can do. But I still don't want your mom and dad to know."

"They don't have to know. They just have to know that I’m going to stay with you in Springfield for a few days.” Olivia encouraged, “It's the weekend so I won't miss any school."

"That might be a lot of fun. And I can show you around the secret passageway and then the room on the third floor."

"Room on the third floor? What is that?" Olivia inquired with excitement.

"Now that is a VERY long story and you will just have to see it to know what I mean."

“Oh, good!! So that must mean you are going to set it up. Cool!!”

Nola was able to convince Annabelle and Tony to let her take Olivia back to Springfield for a few days. They were thrilled how close Nola and Olivia were becoming. There had been no sign of Silas for almost a week, and that made everyone feel somewhat more relaxed. After all, he had been alive all these years and never bothered them before, and he was still wanted for murder, so he would have to lie low if he did not want to go to prison for the rest of his life. Or maybe the authorities had already picked him up. While still in New Orleans, Quint had contacted some of the officials he knew from Tanquir to alert them that Silas Crocker was alive and possibly traveling under the assumed first name of “Ryan”. Certainly the manifest for the flight from London to Newark had been subpoenaed and Silas would be caught if he tried to fly using that identity again.

Nola finished the last of her preparations and helped Olivia get her things together too. Tony seemed a little worried about them going, even though it seemed unlikely that Silas could have made it back to Springfield without being picked up.

“You take good care of my girl,” Tony pleaded as they stood just outside the lake house waiting for Olivia to be ready.

“You know I will,” Nola said with confidence.

“Just be careful,” Tony warned Nola.

“Since when am I not careful?” she protested.

“Your whole damn life,” Tony muttered.

“That’s your bad influence,” Nola shot back.

“I’m serious, Nol,” said Tony somberly. “There’s no telling what Crocker might do. Why can’t you wait until tomorrow, so I can go with you?”

“Because my place is there. Everything will be fine,” Nola insisted. “Your days of having to look after me are long over.”

“I’ll never stop looking after you,” Tony vowed. “Which is why I’d rather you go back to the boarding house rather than Thornway Road.”

Nola couldn’t hide her shock. “How did you¼?”

“I’m the only person Vanessa Chamberlain could never lie to,” Tony explained. “She let a little something slip, and it didn’t take much to get the whole story out of her.”

“Great,” Nola muttered. “Who else has she been blabbing to?”

“No one, I kept it just between us,” Tony revealed. “Although I don’t understand why you want to keep it secret; I’m sure Quinton would be thrilled to know you bought the house back. And that it was his father’s idea to do it. I always knew Henry was a great man, but two million dollars¼” He let out a low whistle. “That’s a hell of a gift.”

“He was a hell of a man.”

“That he was,” Tony agreed. “So why all the secrecy about this?”

“I want it to be just right before I tell Quinton,” Nola admitted. She let out a frustrated breath. “You’re going to think it’s stupid, but I thought getting back the house could help us get back some of what we had there.”

“It’s not stupid,” Tony told her gently.

“It makes it easier, having those memories there to comfort me while I try to sort through all this,” confessed Nola.

Tony nodded in understanding.

Nola gave him a smile. “Stop worrying so much, Tony. The dogs will be protecting the grounds¼We will be fine.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to hire some muscle, too,” Tony interrupted.

Nola sighed. “OK, if it will make you feel better, I’ll add some security guards, too,” she promised. “Now, we really need to go. I want to be home before dark.”

“Call me as soon as you get home and I’ll give you the numbers of some old friends I trust to look after you,” Tony instructed. “Neighborhood guys will keep a much better eye on you than some fancy security company.”

Nola hugged him tightly. “You’re the best big brother in the world,” she proclaimed, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “But you worry far too much.”

“Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to Crocker,” Tony told her.

“You know that better than most,” Nola nodded somberly. “But I’m not the foolish girl I was then. I won’t let myself fall into his trap again.”

“He’s already gotten way too close for comfort, Nol. Just keep an eye out,” Tony warned.

“Eyes and ears,” Nola promised, giving him another kiss as she opened the door to her car. “Love you.”

Finally, Olivia made her way out of the house with her overnight bag, gave her dad a quick hug good bye, and eagerly jumped in the car.

“Love you both, too.”

He shut the door of the car as Nola and Olivia buckled themselves in. They gave him a final wave as they pulled away. Tony waved back with one hand while pulling his cell phone out of his pocket with the other.

“Hey, it’s Tony,” he said after a moment. “I have a job I need you to do.”

Quint was also working on his big plan. He would shut down the house as he was not sure how long he would be away in Springfield. He packed up a trunk of clothing and belongings and shipped it ahead to the Springfield Towers where he rented a penthouse apartment. He sent ahead very specific instructions on how he wanted the apartment prepared, as he fully intended for he and Nola to have a romantic reunion there.

When Nola pulled up to the house at Thornway Road, Olivia gasped. “Ohmigod, it really does look like Manderly in “Rebecca”. Look at the way the trees are all low hanging and twisted together. And it’s soooo BIG!! It’s kind of spooky, Aunt Nola.”

“I know I told you that is what I thought at first too. But now I love it here.”

“How old do you think the house is?”

“It was built in 1881.”

“Wow, and then exactly 100 years later you and Uncle Quint move in. I wonder if that means anything.”

“I don’t know. Maybe?” Nola continued to seek out that idealistic place in her heart.

They made their way into the front foyer area, as the dogs barked loudly outside.

“Who was taking care of the dogs when you were away?”

“I hired a service to come and check the house daily and feed the dogs. But with a house this size we really need to hire some permanent staff.”

“You’re so lucky to get to hire servants. I wish I could have someone to wait on me hand and foot and iron and set out all my clothes and draw my sweet smelling bubble bath . .,” Olivia waxed poetically.

“I don’t really like to call them servants, but it’s nice to have the help. And I have to say I like having my bath drawn,” Nola admitted. “Getting manicures and pedicures at home is not half bad either.”

Nola swung the doors open to the study as Olivia peered inside. “Wow, so this is where it all started, huh? Not too much going on in here now.”

“I plan on redecorating it much like it originally looked. Just imagine these giant tusks-- elephant tusks-- framing the fireplace and you’ll get a good idea of how it used to look then.”

“Giant elephant tusks? That’s kind of gross. I can’t imagine getting romantic around big elephant teeth.”

“I guess you had to have been there,” Nola dreamily reminisced.

Olivia entered the room and started roaming around the room carefully examining what was there. “You know Aunt Nola, there is a vibe. There definitely is something special in here.”

“Where do you think the secret passageway is?”

“Hmmmm, well if my gothic movie and novel knowledge are as good as I think they are, it should be somewhere . . . somewhere . .by this bookcase?”

“Very warm.”

“Really? This house is really cool.” Olivia began to examine the bookcase carefully and then ran her hands along it, but was unable to locate the trigger. “I can’t find it. I think I need you to show me. It’s your secret passageway, after all, and you’re the original.”

Nola sashayed over to the bookcase and in one graceful move swept her hand along the back of the bookcase and released the entrance to the passageway as Olivia gasped.

“I thought I went over that spot. I guess, I still have a lot to learn from you, Aunt Nola,” Olivia said respectfully.

“The first time I found this passageway, I was totally excited, but also kind of scared. I had never seen one except in a movie. But I think more old homes have them than you would think. I think people had them to be able to escape from unwanted intruders. But it sure made for some nerve wracking times with my friend Gracie, and it certainly made Mr. McCord seem awfully mysterious and interesting.”

“Mr. McCord?”

“That is what I called Quinton back then.”

“Right, right, he had a whole bunch of different names. I guess back then mysterious and dashing romantic characters had different names. Now only terrorists do that,” Olivia joked. “When did you stop calling him that?”

“Practically right up until the time we got married. And I sometimes still will call him that to tease him.” Nola remarked. “Well I used to tease him,” she added, remembering their recent separation.

“So, like the two of you are making out and then you call him Mr. McCord? That is crazy, but kind of provocative too like it was taboo or something.”

“That is sort of how it happened. I guess I really started using his first name around the time when we both started being honest about our feelings for each other. I have to admit it was hard for me to use his first name because, for one thing, I was just a girl from Seventh Street, and you don’t run into too many men like him named Quinton. For another thing, it kind of announced to the world how our relationship had changed, and I was worried some would get the wrong idea since we lived in the same house, and I worked for him.”

“Wouldn’t the “wrong” idea, though, have been right?” Olivia prodded somewhat suggestively with a wink.

“I never told you this because you were always too young, but we decided to wait until we were married.”

“No way! You must’ve been some kind of saint.”

“I was far from a saint and had made so many mistakes before I met him, but we meant so much to each other, and we thought we would be together forever, that waiting a few months or even a year was not really that much time in the big picture.”

“You know, the more I find about you and Uncle Quint the more I think they should have made a movie about your life.”

Nola and Olivia slowly made their way into the secret passageway. As they pushed the bookcase all the way open, it eerily creaked, causing Olivia to jump back a little as Nola guided her inside.

“If you take these circular steps up, it leads to where Quinton’s old lab used to be.”

“Uncle Quint always looked so cute when he would wear his white lab coat and teach us kids experiments.”

“I always thought he looked cute like that too,” Nola added with a twinkle in her eye. “And you can hear almost everything going on in the study if you just put your ear up to the wall. This was how I found out some of his early secrets.”

“You used to eavesdrop on him?”

“Of course I did. I had to know what was going on and if he would say anything about me.”

“Right, of course, what was I thinking?” Olivia responded with a laugh.

“I had the best eavesdropping results one time when I didn’t even need to hide. I was in the hospital sick, and Quinton was absolutely beside himself with worry. He had a very difficult time being honest about his feelings, and he had kind of one time told me before that he loved me when we were in St. Croix, but then everything went bad, and he couldn’t bring himself to say it again for some time, blah, blah, blah. So when I was in the hospital, he came to visit me and started proclaiming his love when he thought I was sleeping and couldn’t hear him. In the middle of it, I woke up, but did not let on and just let him go on and on until he finally stopped, and I only then let him know I was awake. I didn’t tell him that I heard everything he said until weeks later. But then things were so crazy with the room on the third floor and all . .”

“I can’t wait for someone to proclaim their love for me,” Olivia impatiently revealed.

“It will happen soon enough, I’m sure,” Nola reassured. “So you want to go upstairs to see the lab?”

“Absolutely and then onto the ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, so you can tell me ALL about it.”

Quinton was busily stepping up his plans to go back to Springfield. He couldn’t wait any longer to be back with Nola, so he decided that he would leave first thing the very next day. He would not have her out of his life even one more moment. He kept rethinking how she had said his name the last few times, and how she sounded overall on the phone, and he knew deep in his heart that his Nola was ready again for him. That afternoon, he went through the family photo albums before he packed them. Seeing how happy the four of them had been together reminded him that he could not waste one more moment of that happiness. He had hope in his heart when he realized that Nola had taken their wedding album, as well as her wedding ring and the letter that he had written her in Tanquir with her when she left. He also noticed how carefully she had taken some of the albums, yet left him with a fair share of their memories as well.

A huge smile spread across his face when he came across the photo album from their trip to Hollywood. There was Nola smiling broadly as she touched the foot and handprints of Judy Garland at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. He came upon the picture of them kissing with the Hollywood sign in the background that Nola had gotten a passerby to take; then Nola getting an autograph from Lucille Ball near the pool at the hotel where they stayed. He always chuckled a bit when he recalled the abrupt way that trip had ended, and he and Nola always laughed about what would have happened if Rebecca had not called that evening. He had a lifetime of memories with Nola, but he wanted more. She was the most alive and warm person he knew in the world; it was just that she had the wind knocked out of her when they lost their baby, and then was further deflated, if that was even possible, when they were unable to conceive another child. He had to prove to her that she was the most important thing in his life.

Silas watched the Thornway Road house. He had seen Nola pull up in her car and also saw her go inside with a young blonde girl. He had an idea who the young girl was, and he figured the more the merrier. Welcome home Nola, he thought as he saw her unlock and enter the front door. Silas had heard from his sources earlier that day that authorities in Tanquir, Rome and London were questioning some of his cohorts and asking what they knew about Ryan Wayne.

Clearly he would be unable to travel via air until he was able to get another passport and another name, but his contacts were already on that. And certainly, if they were looking for him in Tanquir, Rome and London, he would also be listed as wanted with the American FBI and the CIA. Silas knew that he had to be very careful with every one of his next moves and might have to even alter his master plan. While Nola was certainly a vulnerable and easy target, he thought it might be more fun to toy with her for awhile as he worked toward his ultimate revenge. He also had to keep his promise to another one of Quint and Nola’s enemies that did not have the resources and freedom he enjoyed. Silas’ thoughts then drifted to his old flame Helena Manzini as he starting thinking about his Roman accomplices, and what they had told him about the police questioning. Several of them had been approached at one of the sleazy bars he frequented, so if they had been approached, it was certain that Helena would know too, and it would not take her long to put two and two together.

The police in Rome visited Helena Manzini’s new duplex apartment. They informed her that they had credible information that a past tie of hers was still alive. Helena instinctually knew from those words that they were going to tell her that Silas was alive. This was a thought that had terrified her for years. She had learned a long time ago never to underestimate Silas, and he certainly had the financial resources to do just about anything he wanted and convince any number of people to assist him. When the police confirmed that they were indeed talking about Silas Crocker, her stomach turned, and she immediately needed to sit down before she fainted. All she could think, at that moment, was that Silas had somehow killed Sal. Silas was always insanely jealous, and even after all of these years would not allow her to find happiness with another man. Poor Sal did not even know of Silas’ existence, so had no way to protect himself. The police went on to say that they had received information from American intelligence about Silas moving about under the pseudonym Ryan Wayne. Silas not only had a poetic quality to his evil, but an arrogance, audaciously passing through all manner of checkpoints without raising suspicion. She also assumed that the information from American intelligence stemmed from information forwarded by Quinton. As soon as the police left, she got on the phone and had all her worst nightmares confirmed. She was stunned how calm Quinton seemed about the whole thing and shocked at his foolishness to have even considered seeking Silas out in New Orleans. Crocker would not have thought twice about cornering him in some dark corner of the French Quarter and stabbing him to death. What Helena did not understand, having never been a parent, was that Quinton would willingly risk his own life for the sake of his children. She knew how careless of his own safety he had been in his efforts to protect Nola, but she could never quite understand his selfless motivations. Helena had loved deeply many times in her life, but selflessness was never her strong point. Her own sense of self-preservation seemed to win out in the end, and maybe not so strangely, in the end she was all alone.

She was all alone again, and Quinton was going to Springfield to get Nola back, even though Silas might be there. She tried as best she could to appear gracious, but it boggled her mind that all these years later, Quinton could still be fascinated with a simple girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She did find some pleasure in the fact, however, that Nola had been so jealous of Quinton’s visit with her while he was in Italy. Quinton had never exactly admitted this to Helena, but she was quite adept at reading between the lines, and she had been a first hand witness to Nola’s schoolgirl jealousies many times before.

As he watched the lights go on in the house and then in Nola’s bedroom, Silas decided it was time to finally, once again, make the acquaintance of one Nola Reardon Chamberlain. It has been way too long Nola, he thought, as he moved toward the house. He had planned his route through one of the windows downstairs that led into the servant’s entrance. While Nola was away and the house sitter came in, he had been able to steal into the house unnoticed and unlock the window. He had waited until right after the sitter fed the dogs and was able to calculate how much time he needed to run from the fence to the safety of the house. He had installed a remote control device, planned to distract the dogs to the other side of the house that would rattle the fence. Silas put his plan into action as the dogs barked loudly and dashed away from his secret entrance. He sluggishly made it over the fence, and then dashed the short distance to the unlocked window and then pushed it open and dropped inside.

Nola and Olivia were both unpacking their bags in Nola’s bedroom when they heard the barking dogs. “Aunt Nola, why are the dogs suddenly barking so loudly?”

“Maybe it’s a wild animal,” Nola wanted to believe as she moved to look out the window.

Suddenly, they heard a crash downstairs. “Did you hear that,” Olivia gasped.

“Yeah,” Nola nervously responded.

“What’s going on, Aunt Nola?”

“I don’t know.” The dogs outside barked loudly at the rattling fence. “I think we should go back to the old lab.”

“Why? You’re making me scared,” Olivia panicked.

“I’m sorry, honey, I don’t know what is going on. We can access the secret passageway from the lab. We’ll be safe there.”

Silas stalked up the stairs. “NOLA,” he called.

“Omigod, who is that, Aunt Nola?”

“I’m not sure, but we have to hurry. Follow me.” Nola ran out the bedroom door as Olivia followed her. She ran down the hall to the laboratory.

Silas heard their footsteps and broke into run, calling out, “Nola” and laughing maniacally. He followed the echo of their footsteps, and saw Olivia disappear through an open door and slam it behind her.

In growing desperation, Nola fiddled with the lock on the door, to no avail: it was broken.

“How did someone get in the house?” Olivia asked breathing rapidly.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. This way.” Nola urged Olivia into the secret passageway just as Silas made his way into the old lab.

“Nola, you and your little friend aren’t going to get away from me,” Silas called out. He quickly looked under the desk and in the closets. “I know that this old house has secret rooms and passageways. I will find you, Mrs. Chamberlain.” Planning to cut them off, as they tried to escape downstairs, he ran back down the staircase. As he entered the study, he saw the bookcase open with a protesting creak; Silas came face to face with the frightened women. He pulled a switchblade out of his pocket and brandished it at them as Olivia screamed.

“Well, well, well ladies. Nice to see you again, Nola. Long time no see as they say,” Silas sneered.

“How did you get in here?” Nola shot back.

“I guess that does not really matter, does it now? Tell me, who is your delicious little friend?”

“She’s not a part of this. Are you into terrifying children now too?”

“Not exactly, Nola. I really just wanted to terrify an old middle-aged friend of mine, but she had to be stupid enough to bring the child along.”

“Who are you?” Olivia whimpered holding tightly to Nola’s hand.

“Don’t be rude, Nola. Introduce me to your NIECE,” he threatened, brandishing his switchblade.

“This is Silas Crocker. He’s a sick, evil man who should be dead.”

“You make me blush with your kind words, Nola,” Silas sarcastically remarked. “I have to say it is good to finally see you.”

“Sorry I can’t say the same for you.”

“That hurts my feelings, Nola. My my my Nola, if not for that sweet little voice of yours and those big brown eyes, I might not have even recognized you. Time hasn’t been kind to you, little Nola. ”

“Look who’s talking.”

“Sassy as always! I like that!! I did see that old fool of a husband of yours, and your strapping young son. Last time I saw him, he had a large set of silicone tits in his face,” Silas cruelly teased.

“You stay away from AJ.”

“Don’t think for one minute that I couldn’t crush that young pup. Fortunately for you, I have no interest in him . . .for the moment. I assume you have your hands full enough with keeping him in his spoiled brat lifestyle, thinking he’s better than everyone, just like his old man does.”

“If you’re just trying to hurt Quinton by coming after me, then you’re wasting your time. We’re not together anymore, and I haven’t seen him for months.”

Silas laughed out loud. “Nola, once again I know more about the situation than you do. McCord has been moping around that ocean paradise of a house since the day you walked out on him, and it’s not just because he no longer has his little Nola to make him some Irish stew, but because he’s still madly in love with you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. If you really wanted to hurt him, then you should go after Helena Manzini.”

“She’s on my radar for sure, but that has nothing to do with any connection you imagine she has with old McCord. I have an old score that is only partly settled with that one.”

“My Aunt Nola didn’t do anything to you so just leave us alone,” Olivia spoke up.

“Quiet Blondie. What went down between the two of us happened long before you were even born. You’re one of Tony Reardon’s girls, aren’t you?”

Nola hushed Olivia before she could speak, “Silas that is really none of your business. What difference does that make? Just what are you after, Silas?”

Silas cackled with glee, “I know she couldn’t be a niece from your dried-up, barren, old sister Maureen.”

“I have quite a few other brothers and sisters you know.”

“Yes, I’m aware that you’re of breeder stock. Which surprises me that you and that pathetic, stiff Quinton only managed to spawn one brat, and now it’s too late for you to squeeze out anymore,” Silas mocked. Olivia looked on in confusion, not knowing about Stacey’s paternity, so unsure why he said they only had one child. “The beauty of this whole thing, Nola, is that no one even knows that you are here. Think of all the quality time we can spend together.”

“My mother knows about the house and so does my sister-in-law Vanessa.”

“Oh yes, and we know how often the two of them have been over here. I have a lot to be worried about,” Silas sneered sarcastically.

“Well, even if no one is looking for me, certainly Tony will start wanting to know where Livvie is.”

“Ahh Livvie, she IS Tony’s girl. See, you can’t fool old Silas. Maybe it will be just like the good old days with Tony Reardon coming to the rescue. It would be so much fun, though, if old Quint could get off his tired old ass and come after you like your knight-in-now-tarnished-armor,” Silas cackled at his own sick joke. “You two ladies might as well get comfortable. No one is going anywhere.”

“What are you going to do to us?” Nola inquired indignantly.

“That is for me to know, and you to find out,” Silas cruelly said as he sipped something from a flask. “You know Nola, if it really has been months since you saw good old Quint, then it is at least as long since you probably had a man. You know, I have always been a bit attracted to you and . .”

“Don’t make me sick and try to control yourself in front the child.”

“Watch your mouth, Nola, or I’ll show her what a man is really all about.”

“You’re a sick animal.”

“For once in your life, you little bitch, just shut up before I have to shut you up,” Silas spat out. He grabbed her hard by the arm and flung her across the room onto the couch. “Blondie . .you get over there too. And keep your mouth shut.”

With a fearful glance in Silas’s direction, Olivia obeyed his order.

“Now, just to make sure you two give me no problems, I want any cell phones you have on you. Don’t make me search you-you know I’d love it.” Olivia shakily handed over her phone from her pocket.

“Mine is upstairs,” Nola answered unemotionally.

“Are you telling me the truth, or do I have to check for myself?”

“It’s the truth.”

“Fine, if I hear one ring, I’ll just kill you. Both of you hold out your hands. We need just a little more security.” With this Olivia started to cry as Silas ripped the phone chord out of the wall and cut it with his blade, so he could tie up their hands.

“Blondie, you should quit that crying.”

“She’s only a baby Silas, for God’s sake,” Nola defended.

“Well, I like them young,” he looked toward Olivia. “And I like them old,” he looked toward Nola. “But if she knows what’s good for her, she’ll shut up.”

Olivia did her best to stifle her tears as Silas tied up her hands and then Nola’s.

Later that night, Olivia passed out from exhaustion on the couch. Nola watched Silas continue to drink and make low-voiced telephone calls.

“How is it possible after all these years that you can still hold such a grudge?” Nola finally asked.

“McCord took away more from me than he could ever hope to repay.”

“What are you talking about? Helena left him for you.”

“This has nothing to do with Helena. I’m far better off without that woman.”

“Does it have to do with Devon Wayne?”

“Don’t say her name. You and your self-righteous husband don’t deserve to even say her name.”

“Quinton told me you believed that he and Devon had a relationship, but it just wasn’t true.”

“I said shut up,” Silas hollered. “Don’t you dare talk about Devon. Devon is DEAD. And I hold McCord completely responsible.”

“How is that possible? It was your fault that Helena overslept that morning and didn’t check the charges that caused that explosion.”

“Tragedies like that are not a result of one action; it’s a chain of events, and I will never believe that McCord did not try to steal away the most important woman I would ever have in my life. I lost Devon and I lost my . ..”

“Lost what?”

“None of your damned business. So what made you buy back this old dump? Some middle-aged fantasy about reliving your youth?”

For obvious reasons, Quinton simply couldn't sleep that night. He just couldn't get his mind off Nola. More importantly, he couldn't help but worry that Silas was going to try something when he least expected it. He tossed and turned.

Then he remembered something that Bea suggested at one time to Nola: prayer. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe; Quinton wasn't in the habit of praying. But at this point, he figured anything was worth a try.

"Dear God," he pleaded. "Please take care of my Nola for me until I'm able to be with her again. Show me what I need to do to get back together with her. Most of all don't let Silas hurt her.”

Just as he was finally able to fall asleep on the couch in his study, he began to have the most vivid, mysterious dream he had ever had. He dreamt he was in a very dark forest which contained a thorn strewn path. As he began to follow the path, he came upon a very lovely child who looked amazingly like a picture he had seen of Vanessa as a child. She had dark chestnut brown hair and the deepest tanzanite, blue eyes he had ever seen. He fell in love with her instantly because of her sweet smile and joyful laughter.

"Come and follow me," she said taking his hand in hers. "They both need you, and only I know the safe route to go," she continued. "All we need to do is continue to follow this path."

"What is your name, little girl?" Quinton asked with curiosity. "Where do you live?"

"Just come with me and you will figure that out for yourself," she said in a very childlike voice, but strangely in a knowing, adult way. "But, before we begin, you're going to need this." She handed him a very large, antique looking sword. "You're also going to need at least one very trusted friend and comrade, someone you have known for years," the little girl recommended. "Someone you can trust with your very life!!!"

As they went along the path, she kept her hand in his. On occasion, there were some spooky sounding noises, and she would squeeze his hand just a bit tighter.

"There's nothing to be afraid of as long as you're with me." Quinton reassured her, putting his arms around her in a warm, firm hug. "Nobody's going to hurt you. I'll see to that"

As they went along, the thorny path changed landscapes, growing the most beautiful roses. They were everywhere around them, in a whole variety of colors. There were red and white roses, both pale and deep pink roses, purple roses, and peach roses. There were so many roses along the way; they both almost forgot about the thorns. But where there are roses, there have to be thorns as well.

As they went along their way, the sun began to shine more brightly. It made their journey along the path much easier. Quinton could tell that there was heather along the path. The combination of heather and roses made a particularly pleasing fragrance.

The little girl lit up with glee at the sight of the heather and picked a sprig to place in her long dark flowing hair as she danced along the abundant, fecund path.

There were also a large number of lovely trees and bushes of many varieties. There were oaks, pines, cypress trees and others. Quinton also could smell lilac, butterfly bushes, azaleas and forsythia. The forsythia were everywhere as far as he could see. It reminded Quinton very much of one of Mrs. Renfield's gardens that she had enjoyed caring for over the years. He thought he could detect the fragrance of lilies of the valley and lavender. Each aroma was unique and distinctive, but surprisingly, they blended wonderfully together.

As they went along further, Quinton could detect that the little girl was getting increasingly tired. She was barely keeping up with him as she had before. "Would you like me to carry you?" he asked in a very kind and considerate tone. She nodded as he scooped her up into his arms and placed her on his shoulders, just the same way he had carried Stacey and AJ when they were much smaller. Once he did that, her energy seemed miraculously to return along with her good spirits. She seemed to really enjoy riding on his shoulders, as if she had done it all her life.

"We're getting closer," she said with enthusiasm. "We're almost there!!! I know you're going to LOVE IT!!!”

"Just what are we looking for?" Quinton asked her, very puzzled.

"A castle," she told him. "It should be up just ahead." She continued. "That's where you're going to find our family." She explained. "And there it is!!!" she said with excitement in her voice. "We’re nearly there!!! Can you see it?" She was barely able to contain herself.

"Yes I do." Quinton answered her. "It's lovely." Just then, as he looked at the girl more closely, he immediately recognized her. "Oh my God!!!" he said with alarm. "You're . .”

"That's right, Daddy." The little girl said. "I'm your daughter Beatrice, and Mama needs you right away. Go to her before it's too late for her and Olivia."

"Will I ever see you again, honey?" Quinton asked his daughter.

"You and Mama will always be able to see me in your dreams," she said. "But more importantly, in your hearts," she explained. "I'll love all of you always." She further told him. "NOW GO, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. They're waiting for you at home."

It was only then in the dream that Quinton completely understood WHERE she meant. Thornway Road, of course, he thought.

It was then that he woke up from his dream and was even more certain that he was doing the right thing in going to Springfield. Perhaps, he now understood why Bea was so evasive about where Nola was when he called. Could it be that Nola was at Thornway Road he wondered? Maybe it's time I surprised her.

The next day, Quint arrived in Springfield and immediately headed to the boarding house in search of Nola. It had probably been over two years since he last stepped foot in the boarding house. When Bea answered the door to Quint, she wrapped her arms warmly around her son-in-law and invited him in.

“This is quite a surprise,” Bea gushed.

“Bea, I’m sorry I didn’t call first, but I just had to come and see Nola, and I was afraid if she knew I was coming that she would make more excuses to avoid me.”

“I understand honey, but there is just one problem . . .” Bea hesitated.

“What problem?” Quint inquired, wondering if his dream had correctly predicted what Bea was getting at.

“Well, Nola is not here.”

“Did she go out?”

“Not exactly, Quint. Oh, she is going to be so mad at me for telling you, but I just can’t not tell you anymore. I think she is being silly about the two of you not being together.”

“Please, tell me what you’re talking about,” Quint pleaded.

“She’s moved back into your old house on Thornway Road,” Bea revealed

Quint’s lips quirked into a smile. This was a very positive sign indeed. “When did she do that?”

“It was several months ago. And I don’t think you should waste anymore time. Go get our girl.”

Quint hugged Bea tightly. “This is some of the best news I’ve gotten all year.”

“There is only one reason she would have gone back there my dear, and that’s because she’s still in love with you,” Bea said hopefully.

“That’s what I’m counting on, Bea. Thank you.” And with that Quint strode purposely out the door of the boarding house to go get his girl.

A few minutes after Quint left, a worried Tony called his mother at the boarding house. He explained to Bea that Olivia was with Nola, and that he had been unable to reach her via either of their cell phones. He was concerned, especially with Silas Crocker potentially on the loose.

“Tony, I think sometimes they have bad service over at . . .”

“Over at Thornway Road?” he finished her sentence.

“How did you know?” Bea gasped. “Your sister is just going to be so mad at me for spilling the beans to everyone.”

“Don’t worry, Ma. I’ll take care of things with Nola, and besides I already told her I knew.”

“How did you find out?”

“Vanessa found out and let it slip. Nola going back to Thornway Road is very good news. I think that means she’s warming up to the idea of getting back with Quint.”

“That is what everyone is hoping, Tony,” Bea affirmed. “I often can’t get Nola on her cell phone out there, but I don’t think you have to worry about Livvie. Nola wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

“I know that, Ma, but it’s a big old house and Silas knows about it. Besides, it’s strange that Livvie has not called me or Annabelle even once. Do you have the landline number at the house?”

“Yes, it’s 456-1983.”

“I’m going to call over there to make sure everything is okay.”

“I don’t think you have to worry too much,” Bea added.

“Why?”

“Because Quint just stopped by looking for Nola, and I sent him over there. I’m sure everything will be okay.”

“Quint is in Springfield? That’s terrific news. Maybe my stubborn sister will finally come to her senses.”

“I feel exactly the same. You should’ve seen how happy he was when he heard she was back in that old house.”

Quinton was ecstatic as he headed out to see Nola at Thornway Road, while he tried to hold at bay any concerns he had about Nola being out there alone. What could possibly be more romantic than reuniting with the love of his life in the house where they fell in love? On the way over, he stopped at Mr. Frederick’s the Florist’s old flower shop and purchased a beautiful bouquet of heather. He thought of Beatrice, and how much she too loved the heather; just as her mother loved the heather. He convinced himself that the concern over Nola in the dream was simply anxiety and not an actual premonition. He was a scientist, he didn’t actually believe in things like that.

Tony dialed the phone number that his mother gave him. It rang and rang and then finally was picked up by the voicemail. This did not sit well with Tony. He felt that there was something wrong, so he tried to reach Quint on his cell phone. Much to his relief, Quint answered his phone and Tony was able to explain his concerns.

Nola was absolutely exhausted and had only gotten brief snatches of sleep during the night. Silas had tied up their feet and tethered them to the couch so that he could sleep. Olivia whined. Nola tried to remain calm for her niece, but she too was being worn down emotionally and had no idea what Silas had in mind. She blamed herself harshly for unintentionally bringing Olivia into the ugly mess. She tried to imagine what other loss Silas had referred to the day before. More than anything, she wished that Quinton was there to protect her.

“If I notice anything strange when I arrive at the house, I’ll definitely let you know, Tony,” Quint reassured.

“I just don’t have a good feeling at all about this,” Tony commented.

“If it would make you feel better, why don’t you come down here?” Quint tried to remain positive for Tony, but he could not help thinking about the dream and what Beatrice had told him about the trusted friend he should bring, and how “they both” needed him.

“That’s a good idea. I just don’t want to worry Annabelle about Livvie.”

“Then tell her you’re coming to see me,” Quint suggested.

“OK. Listen, I had contacted some friends of mine about this when I knew Nola and Olivia were going back there. I’m going to call them to give us some extra hands, just in case we need it.”

Tony hoped Quint was right and there was nothing to worry about, but quickly got ready to drive the two hours to Springfield and then on to the Thornway Road house. He phoned his contacts to let them know to be on standby. It would be strange going back to that house with Quinton and Nola; it would be almost as if they were going back in time. Tony remembered fondly how he and Quinton became like brothers, when they worked together to rescue Nola from Silas. So many memories ran through his head as he drove toward what seemed to be his past, and he prayed that Nola and Olivia would be safe.

Quinton pulled his car slowly towards the drive. He looked carefully for anything out of the ordinary. About twenty feet before the entrance to the driveway, he noticed a mid-sized sedan parked in the bushes. The vehicle looked like a rental car, and the car being parked there was definitely unusual on this road. He drove past the house, which loomed brightly in the sunlight. It looked exactly as he remembered it, and old memories rushed over him like a waterfall. He saw Nola’s blue Volvo parked in the driveway, and knew that Nola was inside. It felt so good to know that he was so close to her. He was, however, extremely concerned about the car in the bushes. Could it be Silas’s rental car? Could Beatrice have know this? He parked his car out of sight of the house, and called Tony on his cell phone. Tony had only left the lake house about ten minutes earlier and predicted, if he hurried, he could be in Springfield in ninety minutes, but his friends could be there in about twenty minutes. Quint explained about the car, and they mutually agreed that Quint should wait until Tony and his friends got there before attempting to make his presence known. Quint agreed to keep an eye on the house and try to get closer to see inside. The panic in Tony’s voice echoed Quint’s own deepest fears.

After he hung up the phone, he carefully moved over to the car parked in the bushes to see if he could get some information about the driver. There did appear to be a car rental contract on the seat, but he could not see the renter’s name. There was also an open duffle bag in the back seat, and Quint could see miscellaneous articles and clothing for men. He then noticed a small shopping bag from a sports shop and a small opened box next to it. The shape, size and label on the box lead Quint to believe that a pocket knife of some sort had been purchased by the driver. Something about the assortment of clothes made him feel there was a very good chance this was Silas’ rental car. If only he could see that rental contract, he thought, he would know for sure. Afraid of setting off an alarm, he thought he should try on the off-chance the doors were left unlocked. He slowly went to release the door, and to his relief no alarm sounded; the door opened easily. He quickly grabbed the rental contract and read the renter’s name: “Jamie Loomis”. Quint’s heart sank. Jamie Loomis was a late flunky of Silas’. Quint realized it was indeed Silas’ car, and that the crazed man was probably inside the house with Nola and Olivia. He rummaged through some of the other items in the car and confirmed that the little box was, indeed, a box that recently held a new knife. He wanted to go in the house right away, but he knew he needed backup, and he also knew he needed to get his own pocket knife from his car. He suddenly realized that this would be the “sword” he would need from the dream. He considered calling the police, but then reconsidered, knowing Silas Crocker needed to be taken by surprise, or he would not hesitate to kill both Nola and Olivia.

Quinton carefully and quietly circled the property, trying to find a way that he and Tony could enter once he arrived. He also had to figure out how they were going to deal with the dogs. Soon he found the open window near the servants’ entrance. Quint deduced that was how Silas had gained entrance to the house. Oh Nola, I am so sorry that you had to be brought into this again after all these years, he thought regretfully. As he made his way around the house, he detected some movement in the downstairs window of his old study. He watched the window carefully, certain there was someone moving about.