Tangled Hearts

by Tea DeLuca

  “It’s a braid. Where’s Maggie, Daddy?”

  “She had to leave, pumpkin. I’ll make breakfast after we take Rufus out. Go get your shoes.”

  He leashed the dog and waited for her at the door. As they started down the stairs, she slipped her little hand in his. “Daddy.”

  “What, Liddy?” The dog tugged, and he released a bit more of the leash.

  Big blue eyes stared up at him. “Are you going to marry Maggie?”

  Chapter 56

  Mark dropped Liddy off midmorning with Stacy so he could return to the hospital to see his father. He had stopped by the florist first for a small arrangement for his mother and to add his last message to Maggie’s rose. He was so tired, too tired to think clearly, and he felt he was missing something. What else could he have possibly done to change her mind?

  The rain that started as a light drizzle beat harder on the thirsty soil and dampened his spirits further. Running through the lot, he took the elevator to the third floor and found his father stable but sleeping. In one split second, he could have lost both of his parents. In a moment, Liddy could have lost her grandparents. Life was too brief to waste time, and he and Mags had wasted more than their fair share. He sought out his father’s doctor and listened attentively to his observations. If his father followed instructions, he should make a full recovery. Considering his age, he was one of the lucky ones. Mark knew he’d have to help his mother and tending to his father wouldn’t be an easy task. He had acquired his lack of patience and his persistence from him. Making him rest and follow orders seemed like a monumental task, much like getting Mags to find another doctor. Damn, he felt responsible for that, too. Why didn’t Craig push her to take better care of herself? Had she even told him about the cancer? It would be like Mags to handle it on her own, sparing everyone the trouble of looking after her.

  He constantly monitored his calls. He hoped like all the other times before that she’d read his messages and call him. This one had to make her see reason and call off the wedding. He turned the key in the lock, and Rufus bounced to him, but his heart hurt for the girl about to give her body, mind, and soul to someone else, though Craig would never own her heart. That would always be his. He sat on the sofa, wondering what she was doing. Should he confront her again or confront Craig? Should he barge into the church and stop the wedding?

  The rap on the door startled him, but not as much as the sight of Mags’ father in the hall in a dark tuxedo, looking flushed and uncomfortable. “Pete, what are you doing here?”

  “Better question is what are you doing here, Mark? Are you going to leave me hanging here in the hall?”

  Mark quickly surveyed the hallway. “No, come in. Are you alone?”

  “Damn straight, I am. I decided this morning I was done with all this foolishness. God, I hate these damn things.” He pulled at the collar of his shirt, trying to breathe.

  “Do you want to sit down or some water?” Mark asked. The rain beat harder against the windows with a flash of lightning.

  “Don’t have time for that. If you don’t hurry, Maggie is going to marry that man.”

  Mark’s shoulders straightened; his stomach in knots. “I’ve tried. She won’t listen to me.”

  His eyes narrowed, and he flinched at the rumble of thunder. “I have listened to my daughter in her room crying too many times this month. This morning was the last straw. I thought you loved her.”

  “I love her with all my heart. She knows that, and she loves me, but she’s got this crazy idea that we can’t work it out because of Liddy. That I can’t trust her to stick around.”

  “That’s bullshit,” her father said firmly.

  “Damn it, I know, but you know how pig headed she can be.”

  “She gets that from her mother. Look, you have nothing to lose at this point except my daughter for good, so why the hell are you here? Throw everything in, Mark, and stop this wedding.”

  Mark bit his lip, and he wished he had finished her romance novel. How did John win Lisa? He didn’t know, but he knew the man, the book character anyway. He wouldn’t lose her without a fight. “Same church?” he asked her father.

  “No, the chapel, St. Luke’s.”

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  “Good. Straighten this out, Mark. Then,” he smiled, “we’ll go fishing.”

  She’s not marrying Craig, chanted in his head. Even if he had to carry her kicking and screaming from the church, it wouldn’t happen, and he was ready to physically fight Craig for her. He just hoped he didn’t end up in jail.

  Several cars were lined up in front of the church when he arrived. Mags under an umbrella was entering through the huge wooden doors. She fled into the waiting room and locked the door. She needed to think. Mark’s rose had arrived several hours earlier. Clutched in her hand was the note she had read and reread a hundred times since. A note not a single line like all the others. Someone knocked on the door, but she absentmindedly dismissed them. Wedding in fifteen minutes. Her stomach clenched, and heart raced as she stared at his words again.

  I had a one-liner prepared, Mags, but then something happened. Liddy asked me if I was going to marry you. The wisdom of a child, and I’m not just saying that because she’s mine.

  I asked her, “Should I marry Maggie, honey?”

  And her face brightened and she answered, “Yes.”

  “Why?” I prodded, squatting down to her level.

  She said, “Maggie makes me mac and cheese better than you do, Daddy. (a dagger to the heart) She reads to me, splashed me in the bathtub, braided my hair, gave me two dogs, walks with me to the park, and held me in bed.”

  I realized my daughter was falling in love with you, and I’m glad. That was the last piece, baby, the last piece that worried you. Liddy and I both love you. Love us back. Don’t do the unthinkable and marry a man who you won’t ever love like us.

  The tears threatened again, and she grabbed a tissue. Dabbing under her eyes, she tried to catch the mascara that threatened to run down her cheeks. She was startled by a loud noise outside the door in the foyer of the church.

  Mark burst into the chapel. He probably should have made a more discreet entrance by the way several of the gentlemen were staring at him. He recognized Mags’ brother and one of her cousins and the kid, Craig’s kid from the garage. Usually there was a room where the bride waited. He scanned the area looking for a door. Instead he spotted Bea in a dead running coming toward him, her hands extended, and it wasn’t in welcome.

  “No, no, no, Mark. This is not happening again.” Remarkably strong, she pressed her hands to his chest and tried to push him back. “You can’t do this to Maggie.”

  “I have to see her, Bea.” Several of the guests watched curiously as the man in a t-shirt and jeans argued with the bride’s mother.

  “Let him go,” Pete’s voice bellowed from behind him. “This is between him and Magnolia. Haven’t you been telling me to stay out of our daughter’s business all month?”

  Mark caught a glimpse of Craig who met his eyes in silent determination. He marched out to the foyer and turned down the hall to the only door Mark could see. He closed the door solidly behind him, and everyone heard the click.

  “What is Craig doing?” Bea asked. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”

  “Bad luck for whom?” He wanted to tear the door down. He paced the length of the hall certain that Craig was convincing Maggie to go ahead with the wedding. That when the music started, she’d come down the aisle ready to be his wife. The sound of the organ playing the wedding march precisely at four signaled the bride and groom to take their places, and Craig finally came out of the room. His eyes sparkled with a smile on his lips. He walked up to Mark and raised a brow. “Remember what you said that day in the coffee shop? At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what either of us wants. It’s what Magnolia wants.”

  Mark’s fist clenched, but Craig was already heading back into the church. Bea grabbed
his arm, but he pulled away. No, he wasn’t going to let her do this. No one not even Craig was going to stop him. All rational thought gone, he broke into her room and locked the door.

  Her eyes widened. His note still clutched in her hand. He was mesmerized by the simple white empire dress with tiny straps over her bare shoulders, and her hair now several inches longer up with sparkling little beads. The short veil like a princess or a bride, Craig’s bride.

  “I didn’t get a chance to see you this way, Maggie. You’re beautiful.” He moved closer and rested his hands on her shoulders. He fingered the little straps, willing himself not to slip them off her shoulders.

  “This one is plain,” she said, staring down at the dress. “The other had beads and lace, much fuller, still not me, though.” She was babbling and couldn’t look at him. “You shouldn’t be here, Mark.”

  He tipped her chin to meet his eyes, and his hands warmed her throat. “I just have one question, just one, then I promise I’ll go.”

  The music stopped, and her heart froze. “What?” He was too close, his body too tense, and the pull, the intense strength of the fire tearing her apart.

  His thumbs guided her chin as he leaned in to softly kiss the corner of her mouth, to gently kiss with more accuracy, to apply pressure and heat, to trace the seam of her lips with his tongue, and to dance in the warmth. His arm dropped to her waist, and his hand cupped the back of her head. The pounding on the door didn’t affect the kiss. Both ignored her mother on the other side.

  He still held her as he leaned back to see her eyes. “What is your answer, Mags?”

  Her hands slipped around his waist, and she opened her eyes slowly. The flush on her cheeks because of him. “I don’t think I understand the question, Mark.”

  He smiled, a warm glow in his eyes. “Let me rephrase it for you.”

  The fire, the heat that was them, his hands sliding over her back, his heart clutching hers. The kiss a promise. Loved you yesterday, love you today, will love you always. This time when he pulled back he whispered against her ear. “Call it off, baby. Please.”

  She met his eyes, calm at last. “Give Craig back his ring?”

  He nodded. Hoping he wasn’t reading her wrong. Was she considering it?

  She moved her hands to his shoulders and lower against his chest. “I should, I mean I would give him back his ring, but I seemed to have misplaced it.”

  He tore his eyes from her face to stare down at her hand, no longer wearing a ring. “Craig came in before you,” she explained softly. “He had a wonderful love affair with his wife. He saw you enter the chapel and said if that’s the kind of love we have, I shouldn’t miss out. I had to agree and returned his ring.”

  He lifted and spun her around. Pressing his lips to hers, his fingers traced the metal zipper along her spine till it caught the pull. He had to remind himself they were still in the chapel, but he was taking her home. “We’re leaving, and I’m moving you in with me tonight. I want to wake up to you every day for the rest of my life.”

  The church was empty even her parents had gone, but outside on the steps were her two suitcases. “Dad,” Mags smiled.

  “I owe him a huge thank you.” He helped her into the car and pulled out of the lot. Tossing her veil in the backseat, she reached for his hand. They didn’t need words. People stared when they reached the apartment building. How odd the beautiful bride and the groom in jeans. Upstairs Mark unlocked the door and lifted Mags in his arms.

  “We’re not married,” she laughed.

  “I know, honey, but it’s officially your apartment, too. We’re starting our lives together today.” He continued to hold her once inside. “Are you ever going to marry me?”

  Mags groaned. “Isn’t that how all the problems started?”

  He was walking into the bedroom and shutting the door behind them. “Doesn’t matter. I love you, Maggie, and I’m not leaving you again.” He turned her around and traced the zipper slowly with his fingertips then returned to the silver pull. More of her back, the sweep of her curves, pulled his hands inside the dress. He caressed the soft skin, brushing her breasts and kissed the tender flesh on the back of her neck. The straps slipped, she shivered as he lingered over her throat, her pulse, and her shoulders. As he turned her for a kiss, the dress fell to the floor. For a moment he couldn’t breathe. A pretty silk camisole in a faint ivory, and lacy panties cut loose around her thighs, the picture sucking the air from his lungs. He caught the slight scent of a light perfume she always wore and felt her tug at the hem of his t-shirt. Helping her remove the shirt over his head, he threaded his fingers in her hair to release the pretty pins and the length of her hair. Soft and silky he wrapped it around his hand and guided her mouth back to his. Heat and fire burned through him as she pulled away to kiss his chest, to outline the muscles, and to nip the nipples in gentle tugs. She slipped off her heels and backed toward the bed, her eyes lit with desire and her face flushed a pretty pink. The camisole followed his jeans to the floor. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and was his. She crawled on to the bed, grinning from ear to ear, and his body responded in painful hardness and tension. He climbed over her, wanting and needing the contact of flesh on flesh and heart to heart. He could swear he could feel it, beating with his in a rhythm that would match the other one soon to come. Her hands again discovering the slope of his back pressed his body closer as he kissed her breast around the dark circle to the beaded nipple, stiff and hardened.

  “Mark,” she cried as he dipped lower across her middle to the fine dark hairs to the inside of those beautiful thighs to the heat burning out of control in her core. “No, no.”

  He slid up her body and questioned her with a subtle shake of his head.

  She cupped his face. “New beginning,” she panted, struggling to breathe. “The first time together, please.”

  His smile broadened as he nestled between her parted legs. He nudged her entrance, smiled at her moan, pulled her tighter and sank deeper into the heat. His body trembled at the pressure, at her body drawing him deeper, bringing him home, his forever home. Her legs wrapping around him, they found their rhythm, and the heat escalated till at the pinnacle, the dam broke and a flush of release gripped them both.

  Neither could move; neither wanted to for now. It was perfect, basking in the glow and the warmth of a love that had endured for so long through all the problems to give them a second chance. He stacked the pillows and held her on his chest. Neither wanting to sleep, both hungry, but not sure for what, they held each other.

  “Mark, if we ever got married, it could be something simple, couldn’t it?”

  “Anything you want, sweetheart.”

  “On the beach in jeans with just our families. Is that crazy?”

  “Crazy perfect.” He absentmindedly drew circles on her back. “And the reception?”

  “Damn, that’s why I don’t want to think about this. Maybe I should ask Liddy.”

  Mark laughed. “She’d want hotdogs and mac and cheese.”

  Mags pushed up on one elbow. “A backyard barbecue? My dad would love that, and I’m pretty sure my mother is going to kill both of us after today.”

  The sound of his deep laughter filled the room. He was sure she was right. “Simple, but married, whenever you want.”

  “Someday,” she whispered. “Someday.” ♥

  Epilogue

  Two Years Later

  “I can’t believe I let him talk me into this, Gayle.”

  “You’ve wanted this since the moment you laid eyes on him, honey. You just had to do it on your terms.”

  “Well, with the kids and all, we thought we should make it official.” After a year of trying, Mags and Mark finally adopted Leo, a bright three-year old from South America. He adjusted well with the help of his big sister who shared her love of sugar cookies and big dogs, and he melted their hearts with his big brown eyes and curly hair.

  “You’re a lucky girl, Magnolia.”

&nb
sp; Something in her pained expression tore at Mags’ heart. “Are you ever going to stop running and tell him, Gayle?”

  “Tell who what?” She weaved and pinned a sprig of flowers through her long braid. On the end she tied a tiny white ribbon. “Do you want the braid up?”

  Maggie shook her head. “No, loose like Liddy’s and stop changing the subject. Are you ever going to tell Perry you love him?”

  “Hate him, you mean.”

  “You don’t hate him, and, stupid, he loves you, too. Trust me, I know what it means to pine for someone and waste a lot of time.”

  “Right. How many women does he go through casually?”

  “Point. He wants you and doesn’t take anyone else seriously.”

  “How long have you known how I feel?” Gayle stared at the ocean beyond the open door.

  Mags laughed. “A very long time, though my soon-to-be husband doesn’t have a clue. Talk to him, Gayle. Haven’t you wasted enough time, too?”

  She swiped at her eyes and turned Maggie in front of the mirror. “You look amazing.”

  “Not traditional,” she smiled, in white jeans and an aqua silk shirt. Her hair was braided down her back with the flowers threaded through it. Just like Liddy who refused to wear a dress if Maggie wasn’t and wanted the braid as well. She found her a cute summery romper that pleased her precious five-year-old. They had gotten so much closer, though her relationship with her mother depended on the week. Sometimes Stacy seemed genuinely nice while other times annoyed or angry. Mags suspected it was the stories Liddy took home and the touchy subject of the role she played in the child’s life. When Leo naturally called her mom, her heart burst with joy, but Liddy resented it, having called her Maggie from the beginning. Mark had suggested a compromise. Maggie mom when she was with them, and it seemed to work till Liddy was overly tired or not feeling well. Then she called her mom. She suspected she may have slipped with Stacy. It was hard knowing where the boundaries were in a divorced second marriage situation, but Mags was trying to put Liddy’s needs first and be thoughtful of Stacy’s feelings. It wasn’t always easy.