A little more of my side story - Rafe opens up a bit to Christine.

I love your words of encouragement and the support that so many give me.

For those who are wondering, I have written several stories, and not all of them have spiritual overtones or references; check them out.

Again, thank you Mlle.Fox (beta) - for just being you.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 21

He had been gone two weeks before Christine had the courage to face the emptiness she was feeling because of Erik's absence; her tears stained her pillow at night, and she knew she was hopelessly in love with him.

Who, or what, was in Rome that would give him answers...and to what did he need answers? She knew there were things in his past that had caused him pain, but why would he think it was necessary to get answers?

Evie had tried to contact her, but Christine had not been ready to face whatever darkness had forced Erik from her.

Meg was out of the state for the week; Evie had drawn up a contract and Meg had gone to work as the exclusive model for her American line of, Just Be You, clothing.

As happy as Christine was for Meg, she missed her and realized how much she needed her beside her.

In the middle of the second week of Erik's absence, Christine had finally decided to get out and take a walk in the park.

It was Sunday, late morning, and the park was bustling with children and young mothers visiting the zoo and enjoying boat rides. She watched the family scenes longingly and wondered if Erik wanted a family.

She had come to terms with Erik's reasons, whatever they were…and had decided to call Evie tomorrow.

He had said he loved her, something Christine had not expected but had yearned for her entire life; she would give him the space he needed to wade through the darkness of his past and find the light she offered him.

Her cell phone rang, causing her to startle, but she sat down on a nearby bench and answered.

"Hello."

"Hey Chrissie."

Rafe's soft confident voice wound through the phone and Christine could hear the insecurity in his tone.

"Rafe, what's wrong?"

"Can I talk to you…I mean, I know we don't know each other that well, but I feel that I can trust you."

Christine was a little hesitant, but she knew that Rafe was an honest, hardworking, and honorable man.

"I'm in Central Park right now…I decided to pass the time doing something good for me." Her voice was light and she hoped Rafe didn't hear the doubt in her tone.

"I'll meet you at Boathouse Restaurant in about twenty minutes…let me buy you lunch."

"Rafe, you don't have to do that. We can sit outside and talk."

"Christine, please…I want to get to know you…you're Meg's best friend."

She heard the pleading, albeit well disguised, and knew she could not refuse him.

"All right, I'll be there…do you want to meet in the front lobby?"

"Yes, that sounds good; see ya in a few."

Christine flipped her phone shut and stood motionless for a few minutes. She could only guess that Rafe needed to talk about Meg and knew that she had been her friend for years.

She was on the other side of the park from where the restaurant was, so she started on the sidewalk towards it. The park was unusually busy for a Sunday morning; families sharing time – laughing and playing together. Christine felt the emptiness set in; she longed for the warm cocoon of Erik's arms and his sexy smile to take her cares away.

The air was beginning to chill as October approached and Christine pulled her sweater further around her arms.

Erik, do you even know how much I miss you?

She missed his smile, his deep, transcendent eyes, and his invitingly sensual voice – just to name a few things. She had lost her heart in no time at all; it was frightening actually – how easily he had captured her.

The restaurant loomed in front of her and she entered the front door, immediately spotting Rafe standing in the far corner.

"Hi Rafe."

"Hey Christine…it's nice to see you."

He seemed awkwardly nervous, but Christine saw the need burning in his hazel eyes. He needed to connect with her on a personal level concerning Meg.

They walked into the restaurant and followed the attendant to a table by the window overlooking the lake. Christine had never been inside the restaurant before; she found it very pleasant and congenial.

They both ordered Coke and took a menu to look over. Christine was appalled at the prices, but she knew that Rafe would consider her concerns foolish.

They ordered and after the attendant left, Rafe folded his hands as though in prayer and rested his forehead upon them – deep in thought.

"Rafe, are you alright?"

He looked at her as though he had forgotten she existed. His smile was strained, but his eyes were genuine as he looked at Christine and then rested his hands on the table.

"What's wrong with me, Christine…am I not the kind of man that Meg could love?"

Christine sighed, hoping to calm him with her casual friendliness.

He seemed like the lost little boy unable to figure out what his place was in the world. He was always the most confident man – next to Erik – and Christine found his apprehensive attitude a bit disconcerting.

"Rafe, there is nothing wrong with you…why do you think that?"

"I know that Meg cares about me, but she refuses to open up to me at all…and I am not talking about sex…she just seems so…" he leaned back in his chair and stared out the window; watching the boaters make waves in the water, "…unavailable."

His voice dipped to almost inaudible and Christine could sense the pain he was experiencing. Meg probably had no idea how much she was hurting this sweet man.

"Meg has had some issues to deal with, Rafe…do you know anything about her past?"

He shrugged his shoulders and released a quiet breath, "Only what she has revealed…but nothing that would explain why she seems so reluctant to let me in."

Christine was not going to betray Meg's trust by telling her past to Rafe…not as a whole; but she was going to put his mind at ease.

"Rafe, it's not that she doesn't want to love you…I am certain that she does."

Christine smiled warmly into his boyishly handsome face; he was a different kind of handsome than Erik, but Christine found it easy to see what Meg saw in him.

"She's been hurt, hasn't she?" He inquired; a quick stab of anger shooting through him.

Christine nodded, but knew that he thought something that was not true.

"Not in the way you think…all I can tell you is that it's a family issue."

"Family…I thought her parents were dead and she was an only child?"

"They are, and she was…but this is something that happened several years ago."

She could tell that he wanted to ask more, but she knew he wouldn't.

"Just keep doing what you're doing, Rafe…and you might try asking her to take a few of these business trips with you…" Christine suggested, "…make her realize you don't just think of her as a trophy to wear on your sleeve."

He looked horror-struck at that suggestion, scoffed, and immediately went on the defensive.

"I don't think of her that way… she's so much more than a pretty face."

Christine chuckled lightly and smiled, "I know, Rafe, I'm just repeating what I have heard her say."

He calmed and then finally gave her an apologetic smile.

"Are you sure she loves me?"

Christine smiled again, this time allowing him to see the sincerity in her eyes.

"Yes…but I know it's not going to be easy for her to admit it…talk to her and ask her to talk to you about her past…she wants to tell you."

Christine watched as Rafe contemplated all that she had told him. He would do what was necessary because she knew he loved Meg with all his heart.

"I won't give up on her."

"Good."

TBC