Tangled Hearts

by Tea DeLuca

  “Hey, Maggie, what the hell are you doing?”

  Randy was a third-year art student at the local college. He shared the apartment next door with his roommate, Jack. Both serious students and a little older, they were good neighbors.

  “I don’t want the sofa and sort of got it stuck in the door.”

  He snickered at her dilemma. “How much you want for it? It’s a lot nicer than the shit we have.”

  “It’s free,” Mags said hopefully. “You just have to move it out of my apartment.”

  “Free, huh? You drive a hard bargain. Let me get Jack, and we’ll take it off your hands.”

  Yes! “Want the two tables, too?”

  “Same price?”

  “Gift with purchase,” Mags laughed. “You’d be doing me a favor.”

  The two guys easily un-wedged the sofa and piled the tables on it. “You sure we can’t give you something, Maggie?”

  The tears demanding attention, she shook her head. “Do you need a bed?”

  Randy peeked in the bedroom. “It’s a nice set, but we each have our own. Maybe you could donate it.” Maybe she could. She’d never be able to move it herself. She closed the door and turned into the empty apartment, and the tears won. Such an asshole. Why hadn’t he just left her alone? Why did he make her hopeful and feel loved after all this time? She brushed away her tears and reread his last text. No, he didn’t love her, and no, she didn’t want to talk to him.

  She stripped the bed, gathered up the bedding and the towels, and tossed everything into another bag. The pile in the hall outside the door was growing, but the super would understand for a day or two. She needed a break. Rufus jumped up against her, and she fell back on the bed. When she sat up, the room went into a spin. She pressed her arm across her eyes and waited for the room to right itself before attempting to sit up again. When was the last time she had eaten? She carted her suitcases to her car and returned to the apartment. One final call to the Help the Unfortunate organization to arrange pick up of the bedroom set, and she was done. She was no longer physically tied to the past. Now, if she could just make her heart move on, too.

  “Come here, Rufus.” The eager dog waited impatiently as she attached the leash and lifted the last of the dog food. Taking them both to the car, she pulled her key off the ring and returned to leave it on the kitchen counter. The barren apartment would need further cleaning before it could be rented again, but she was done.

  “Good-bye, Mark,” she whispered, through her tears. “I wish…”

  Chapter 44

  Mark intended to arrive at Mags’ shop earlier in the day but was tied up in court all morning and had a steady stream of clients all afternoon. Now, with his hand on the handle of her door, his heart pounded angrily in his chest. She had to listen, give him a chance to explain. He’d remind her that they had missed their chance long ago by not talking. They shouldn’t repeat history. The store was quiet, just one customer paying at the counter.

  “Can I help you, sir?” The redhead looked worn out and frazzled.

  “I want to see Maggie, please.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you a vendor?”

  “No, he’s not,” came a voice from behind him. “Maggie isn’t here.”

  Bullshit. Ronnie was going to get the hell out of his way. “I just need to see her for a few minutes.” Reason first then he’d knock him on his obnoxious ass.

  “He’s telling you the truth. She didn’t come to work today and may not be in tomorrow either.”

  “She called in sick?” Mark asked. A thousand things crossed his mind quickly.

  “No, we got the word from corporate,” Sandy replied, her name tag peeking out from behind her hair. “She may not be in the rest of the week.”

  “And rumor has it, she applied for a transfer to another store. You behind that, asshole?”

  Mark was stunned; probably why he didn’t immediately react to Ronnie. “You haven’t heard from her at all?”

  “Early this morning. She said to call her if anything comes up, but we handled things.”

  Mark turned and left without looking back. He didn’t care what Ronnie thought. What had Mags done? He’d try the apartment next. He tossed his jacket on the front seat and took the stairs two at a time. Something was off. When he knocked on the door, the apartment was silent. He should be hearing Rufus. He turned the knob; the door was open, and the apartment was empty. He couldn’t believe everything was gone. The table and chairs, the sofa, cupboard doors opened and empty, all of their things gone. He checked the bedroom. The drawers on the dresser and the closet empty, and the bed stripped to the mattress with a note for a pickup later today by a charitable organization. She had moved out with lightning speed. Where had she gone? Why? Why was she doing this? She was radically changing her life.

  He met the super coming in as he was about to leave. He collected the key from the countered and recognized Mark. “Want to rent the place?”

  “No, any chance Maggie left a forwarding address?”

  “No, but she left a bunch of boxes in the hall for me to clean up. I took them downstairs for now. Figured I’d dump them later.”

  At the bottom of the stairs Mark examined the boxes. Her books—She had given up on love, and her shells and the photos. She had given up on him. The pieces of the contract. He hadn’t even thought of the dog. He hoped she had at least taken Rufus with her.

  What had he done? He carried the boxes to his car and the bag of clothes. It hurt to see their lives thrown away in three boxes. He had to find her and make this right. Then it occurred to him who she would turn to. He would use the situation to get what he wanted. She had to be with Craig. He had to find her before he lost her for good. Before she put that damn ring on her finger and married a man she didn’t love, but there was one problem. He didn’t know where Craig lived or where his shop was. Hell. He didn’t even know the man’s last name, but he’d find him, because it was the only lead he had to Mags.

  Chapter 45

  Mags laid awake in her childhood bedroom, staring at the ceiling. Her mom hadn’t changed much since she left home after high school. The rock band poster, the pink spread, the sheer curtains, the single bed, and her collection of stuffed animals were right where she had left them. Over her bed was the plaque her dad had carved in a piece of wood years ago. In beautiful script lettering it said

  All things are possible with love.

  Forgiveness? Was that possible? She missed Mark. More than once she let her finger hover over his name in her phone, but what would she say? Why couldn’t they get this right?

  She could almost understand how he protected Liddy. He’d want to be sure of any woman he brought into the child’s life, but she wasn’t any woman. At least, she hadn’t thought she was, and her stomach recoiled when she thought of him with Dt. Stratton. She wasn’t foolish enough to believe he hadn’t had his choice of women over the years, but to be completely absorbed in a relationship to be considering marriage while he was sleeping with her was inexcusable.

  She was amazed at how easily she reordered her life, but she still had two things left to do. She rolled over, trying to push away her thoughts when she heard a sound on the stairs. Maybe her father was up and needed to be redirected back to bed. Rufus met her in the hall, and she let her out into the back yard. Sitting in the dark, sipping a cup of tea was her mother, a box of tissues on the table.

  “You all right, Mom? If Dad is asleep, you should get some rest.”

  Her mother patted her hand. “I enjoy listening to the quiet, honey, and I feel better knowing your father is settled for now. Water’s still hot if you’d like some tea.”

  Mags loved her mother’s authentic tea cups. Even if she didn’t want tea, she loved to hold the cup in the palm of her hand, feel the heat, and smell the subtle aroma. As she settled at the table with her cup, Rufus returned to the door.

  “What are you doing, Maggie?” her mother asked.

  “I’m letting the
dog back in.”

  “I meant, what are you doing with your life, honey? What happened?”

  “I’m letting go of the past. You were right, and it’s about time.” She blew gently on her tea, avoiding her mother’s eyes.

  “What happened with Mark?”

  “We’re over; this time for good, Mom. He’s been keeping things from me, and it’s just over. I’m still seeing Craig.”

  “But your heart belongs to Mark, doesn’t it?”

  She shrugged. “Love isn’t important. You can be just as happy in a marriage without it. Besides, I thought you wanted me with Craig.”

  “I do want you with Craig. It would be a good marriage, Maggie. A real life and relationship but a safe life. You can’t ignore your heart, honey, not if you want to be happy.”

  “So, I should be with Mark?” She didn’t understand her mother tonight.

  “Sometimes when I think of your father’s disease and what the future will be like I wonder if it would have been easier if I didn’t love him so much. Your father was my first real love, so handsome and charming. But what do you think? If I loved him less, would it be easier when he no longer knows who I am?”

  “Maybe,” Mags answered.

  “Or maybe it’s easier, because I do love him with my entire heart. I want as much time as God gives us. I want to take care of him even if he thinks I’m one of his nurses. We’ve had a lot of wonderful years. Hopefully, we’ll have a few more before the disease progresses, but I’m glad I’m right here today with him than any other place that would be safe.”

  “Because he has your heart?” Mags asked, the tears close again.

  “Always. Always. If your happiness is with Mark, you may have to fight for it, but maybe he’s worth it. You tell me.”

  “And maybe no amount of love is enough sometimes. Mark and I have fallen apart twice. Maybe the universe is telling me something. Or maybe he’ll marry Dr. Stratton, and it won’t matter.”

  Her mother’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Mark?”

  Mags nodded, hugged her mother quickly, and returned to bed. Just two more things she needed to do. Then maybe safe was what she needed. No risk, no pain.

  Chapter 46

  Mags dressed early, fed the dog, and was flipping the pancakes on the grill when her dad joined her for breakfast. “Your mother’s still asleep,” he smiled. “We’ll save her some breakfast. For now, I get to spend some time with one of my best girls.”

  She loved her dad. So strong and so protective, it was hard to believe the prognosis for the future. She slid the pancakes on the plate and pushed him the syrup. “Coffee?”

  “Please. Maggie, it’s wonderful having you home, but where is Mark? Did you two have a little spat?”

  “Something like that, Dad.” She didn’t want to upset him and didn’t know how to make him understand they hadn’t been together since the wedding.

  “He talked a lot about the future; his plans for the two of you on our fishing trip. He’ll be there for you, honey.”

  “What plans?” She pushed away her plate. She just wasn’t hungry.

  “He loves you, been thinking about a house, but I guess you know that. Raise a family.”

  Maybe with Melissa. Choking back the tears, she tried to change the subject. “Are you planting the azaleas today? I can help you, but I have a couple of errands first.”

  “No rush. Everything will work out.” He patted her hand and finished his plate.

  When her mother awoke, Mags loaded the remaining dog food in the car and loaded up Rufus. The dog loved car rides and jumped quickly into the car. Her heart splintered further, but the beautiful husky wasn’t hers, and she was a constant reminder of Mark.

  All the windows down, the car was already hot from the morning sun. Maybe she should let Craig look at the air conditioner. She hadn’t talk to him either, but he may not have even noticed. She stopped for a minute at the store to give Sandy her new phone number with explicit instructions not to give it to anyone. Ronnie hugged her, and she almost started to cry again.

  Parking in front of Mark’s building a few minutes later, she waved over the doorman. “Can you have someone take this food up to the fourth floor to Mark Harrington? He’s an attorney.” He hesitated only a second after she slipped a five into his hand. Then she firmly gathered Rufus’ leash and led her into the cool austere office building. People stared as she waited at the elevator and rode up with her dog in tow. She breezed past the reception desk without a sideways glance at the receptionist who was shouting something at her. No, she had to do this quickly before she lost her nerve. The sea of lawyers and clients parted the hallway and watched with amusement as she waltzed into Mark’s office without knocking.

  “Mags?” Mark rose to his feet.

  Seated in front of him was a distinguished older woman with shockingly white hair in an expensive tailored suit. Old Southern money no doubt, but Mags didn’t care. She tossed the leash to Mark and announced, “Sue me if you want. The contract is null and void, because I’m giving Rufus to you, mostly for Liddy, partly for you, and because I love her.”

  Mrs. Winslow, the client, stared at Mark with amusement. Little made her laugh these days since her husband’s unexpected demise, but the young woman in cut-offs and a cute ponytail with the beautiful dog interested her. She had guts and was so obviously in love with her attorney that she paid attention.

  “Mags, I’ve been trying to reach you.” He glanced at his formidable client. “Honey, we need to talk. Excuse me, Mrs. Winslow.”

  Mags turned her sharp eyes on the client. “Sorry to interrupt. He’s a good attorney even if he is an ass.”

  “Mags!”

  She backed away quickly as he came around the desk. “Take care of her, Mark.” The tears fighting for control, Mags turned and darted down the hall.

  Mark quickly caught her at the elevator. “You have to talk to me. Give me a chance to explain.” Everyone was staring. He’d have to face these people, but he didn’t care. She was here, and he couldn’t let her get away again.

  “I don’t have to do anything,” she answered, stepping into the elevator. “Say hi to Melissa.”

  The elevator door closed, and Mark bolted down the stairs. He waited and watched as the elevator slowly came down, stopping for and letting off passengers along the way.

  “This is for you,” the doorman greeted him at the elevator. “Lady left it a few minutes ago.”

  “I’ll get it in a minute, Harry,” he said as the door opened. She looked startled, and her tear stained cheeks tugged at his heart. “Maggie, please. Don’t walk away from me. Meet me for coffee later.”

  She pushed past him. “No.”

  “A drink then. Damn, we can both use one.”

  “No.”

  “Mags, stop.” He grabbed her arms, blocking her path.

  Her breath caught, and her eyes burned with a different passion. “Take your hands off me, Mark, now.” More people stared like they were crazy, and security was fast approaching.

  “Tell me, at least, where you’re staying? Are you with Craig?”

  He thought she was going to hit him or kill him with her bare hands. “It is none of your damn business where I am or who I’m with. Go to fucking Italy with Melissa.”

  “Mr. Harrington, is there a problem?” security asked.

  Mark took a step back and let Mags pass. He needed to get back upstairs and explain to his colleagues and his client, but he was rooted to the spot in the lobby as he watched her leave through the revolving door, cross the street to her car, and collapse in the front seat. He had lost her again, or so she thought, but not this time. This definitely hadn’t been the place to talk, but he’d track her down and make her listen.

  He returned to his office, passed the people who now pretended nothing had happened. He closed the door and apologized to Mrs. Winslow for the interruption. The woman laughed softly and made several observations.

  “I like that young woman, love her s
pirit.”

  Rufus nuzzled Mark’s leg and settled on the floor beside him. “Yes, she’s spirited,” he agreed, “but her timing isn’t…”

  “Timing? Mark, she’s in love with you. Surely you know that, and judging by your reaction, you’re in love with her.”

  Mark shuffled the papers on his desk. “What if love isn’t enough?”

  “Oh, hell,” she laughed. “Love is always enough and think of how much fun it will be sorting it all out.”

  Maybe the woman wasn’t so snobby and distant as he thought. “I just need her to listen to me. We can work out our…misunderstanding.”

  “Poor man. That woman is not pissed off because of a little misunderstanding. You screwed up big time, Mark. She needs a grand gesture, a declaration of undying love.”

  Like her romance novels that she threw away. “I’ll think about it. Now, about this company your husband left you.”

  She waved her hand and rose to leave. “You do whatever is best. I trust you as my husband did. Besides, you need to take the afternoon off and find that young lady. A word of advice, though from an old lady who enjoys romance novels and remembers a thing or two about love. Kiss her, Mark. When you find her, don’t give her time to think. Kiss her. Make her feel your heart first, then talk. Straighten out,” she coughed softly, “your little misunderstanding. What an enjoyable afternoon. I hadn’t expected to be so entertained.” She patted the head of the dog and closed the door as she left.

  It should be so easy, kissing her. Sure, if he could only find her, and now he had a dog. Rufus looked at him with adoring eyes. Liddy would be ecstatic, but the elusive missing piece was yet to be had. His phone rang, and he noted the call from Gayle. Instinct told him this was important and more than a social call as Gayle was leaving for London in a couple of days. He answered to yet another angry female.