Why was she so angry when Darlene was only telling her what she had already been telling herself? Marie loosed a vocal burst of anger that came out part hoarse whisper, part guttural grunt.
Reece had left the front door open for her, and Marie suddenly realized just how fast she was moving. She thrust her hands to the doorposts to stop herself before she burst out the door and Reece witnessed how angry she was. Breathe. Just breathe.
Reece tucked Alyssa into her car seat, made sure her little head was resting comfortably on her blanket, and then closed her door and hurried around to the driver’s door to lean in and start the car. The late evening air was a little nippy, and he wanted to keep the inside warm.
He leaned against the car next to the driver’s door and folded his arms, tipping his head back to study the patterns of the stars overhead. Far down the hill, the ocean’s subtle shushing played an undertone to the evening symphony all around him. Wind in the trees, crickets and frogs, the soft hoot of an owl, and somewhere a coyote baying at the moon.
He’d just realized it was taking Marie a bit longer to follow him out than anticipated, and started to wonder what the delay might be, when she strode around the corner of the house. One thumb hooked in the shoulder strap of Alyssa’s little bag, she kept her gaze to the ground. But there was a tautness about her demeanor that made him stand upright. “Marie?”
She looked up. And he would have sworn the smile she pasted on was as fake as a three-dollar bill. “Thanks again for watching Alyssa.” She made to brush past him. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
He scooted over a few inches so that when he leaned against the car once more, he prevented her from opening the driver’s door.
Releasing a little grunt, she tilted her face to the ground, but not before he caught the jut of her jaw. Still, somehow he knew the anger wasn’t directed at him. He glanced back toward the house, a furrow forming on his brow. “What is it, Marie?”
Her teeth were still clenched crooked when she finally lifted her face. She rested one hand on his forearms, which were crossed over his chest. And just the gentle warmth of her fingers sent a surge to his pulse. “I’ll be fine, Reece. It just really has been a long day.”
Concern tugged at him. He wasn’t sure she was giving him the whole story, but now might not be the best time to discuss it. Forcing himself away from her car, he turned and opened her door for her. “Do you need me to drive you home?”
She bent and tossed Alyssa’s bag across to the passenger seat, and then touched his shoulder as she sank into the driver’s seat. “No, thanks. I’ll be fine.”
But as he watched her pull out of the drive, Reece wondered if either of them would ever be fine again.
Chapter 15
Wednesday passed in a blur, and before Marie knew it, she’d dropped Alyssa off at her Daisies class and was sitting in the back row of the Wednesday night Bible study. She checked out the slides on the large TVs to either side of the sanctuary and noted the passage they would be in tonight, then called up the correct passage on her iPad and pushed out a slow breath.
Starting tomorrow she would be around Reece for three days in a row. She was all at once thrilled and terrified at the thought.
She turned her eyes to the round stained-glass window near the peak of the gable. Lord, I just don’t want to be the reason for anyone’s life to be messed up. I’ve messed up my own life enough. So help me to know what to do. The last thing I want to do is hurt him. His mother certainly seems to think I’m not the right woman for him.
She felt someone slip into the seat to her right.
Had Reece said he was coming? She hadn’t been expecting him. She glanced over and blinked.
Riley looked at her hesitantly and then tucked a strand of her red-blonde hair behind her ear uncertainly. Her blue eyes held a bit of trepidation. “I hope this is okay?”
Joy trilled through Marie. “Okay?” She threw her arms around the woman. “It’s fabulous! I’m so glad you came!”
Riley seemed to relax. “Oh, good. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to just show up. I was so happy to see you the second I walked in.” She gave a sheepish stretch of her lips.
Marie squeezed her hand. “We’re just about to start, but can I get you some tea or coffee? There’re cookies too.”
Riley’s brow furrowed. “Are we allowed to eat in here?”
“Yes.” Marie stood. “Which do you prefer?”
Riley glanced around like she was realizing for the first time these were real down-to-earth people she sat among. “Coffee, I guess. One cream. No sugar. And yeah, I’ll take a cookie.” Her cheeks pinked, and she laid one hand over her rounding belly.
Marie patted her shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
Marie grabbed herself a cup of coffee and a cookie also, so Riley wouldn’t feel self-conscious, and then hurried back so she wouldn’t be alone for too long. When she stepped through the sanctuary doors, it was to see Reece sitting in the space next to hers and a broad-shouldered blond man she didn’t recognize sitting next to him. Reece was leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and hands clasped together, and chatting quietly with Riley.
Marie squeezed past him and his friend and handed Riley her cup and napkin with a cookie, then sank onto the bench. She glanced between the two of them. “I see you two have met?”
Reece shrugged one shoulder. “Actually I saw you get up and walk away, so I figured I’d just keep your friend company while you were gone.”
He sat back and gestured to his friend. “This is my former boss, Justus Teague. He had a couple of weeks’ vacation coming to him and decided he had nothing better to do than help me with repairs at Serenity Shores,” Reece teased, but there was appreciation in the tilt of his lips.
“Nice to meet you, Justus.” Marie stretched a hand past Reece, and Justus shook it with a firm grasp.
“Likewise.”
Marie then sat back and swept a gesture to Riley. “And this is my friend Riley. This is her first time here tonight, so thanks for keeping her company.”
Reece stretched a hand in front of Marie to shake Riley’s. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Sorry I didn’t think to introduce myself sooner.”
Marie went soft inside. He was so thoughtful to make Riley feel welcome and included.
Riley still had a bit of the deer-in-the-headlights look as she shook first Reece’s hand and then Justus’s. She deflected his concern with assurances all was fine. But then she turned to look at Marie. “The bouquet guy?”
Reece’s warm chuckle accompanied the heat that flared through Marie’s cheeks and the arching of Justus’s brows.
Reece stretched one arm along the back of the pew behind Marie and held out a thumbs-up to Riley. “Yes, I am the bouquet guy. Those were nice, weren’t they? A guy should get a lot of credit for bringing something like that to a woman’s work, shouldn’t he?”
Riley grinned, the first true happiness Marie had seen from her since she walked in. “Oh no you don’t, Slick. I’m not going to gang up with you on Marie. If you can’t win her on your own merit, then you don’t deserve her.”
Justus guffawed and slapped Reece on the back at that. “She’s got your number.”
Reece only laughed and squeezed Marie around the shoulders. “Wow, I’m going to have to find you some nicer friends.” But there was no animosity in the words, and Riley’s tinkling laughter proved she’d taken the teasing well.
“You better watch out for this guy, Marie.”
“I know.” Marie eyed Reece, feeling a warm contentment momentarily override her concern for his reputation. Would it be so bad to let this wonderful man fully into her life?
Movement across the room drew her attention to the Blackburn twins, who spoke low with a small group of women. Several of them kept casting not-so-subtle looks in her direction. One of the twins actually rolled her eyes at Marie, then shook her blonde hair over one shoulder and plopped down on a bench.
A cold chill stol
e Marie’s contentment, and she leaned forward, hoping Reece would take the hint and remove his arm from behind her.
Slowly he did, as the study leader stepped into the podium. But when Reece leaned forward onto his elbows, a hard lump had formed in his jaw and his gaze was fixed in the direction of the Blackburn twins.
It was only a moment later that he leaned close and whispered, “I see the pearls, Marie. If others can only see the sand, it’s their loss. Please don’t make it mine.”
Marie closed her eyes, willing away the agony washing through her. Why did this decision have to be so hard? Why did it bring Reece pain no matter which path she took?
Reece pulled his truck to a stop in the garage, yanked the keys from the ignition, and sank his head against the headrest as the electric door trundled its way closed. Why was it that church people could be some of the most uncaring, uncompassionate people on the planet?
Pain sliced into his palm, and he eased up on the strength with which he fisted the keys.
His feet felt heavy and weighted as he swung them to the cold cement and banged the truck door shut. A press of the fob chirped the locks into place, and he pushed wearily into the house.
The worst part was, it hadn’t only been the Blackburn twins. Mom had been there too. In another part of the building with her own Bible study group, but at the end of the night when she’d walked by them as they were talking in the foyer, she had given Marie such a disdain-filled glower that he’d wanted to grab her and make her apologize right then and there.
Marie had stiffened noticeably, and been distant for the rest of what remained of the short evening.
Dakota arrived and Marie introduced her to Riley, and the three of them chatted, and since Justus excused himself soon after, Reece felt like a fourth leg on a three-legged stool. But he wanted one more chance to talk to Marie before the night ended.
After Dakota and Riley left, Marie bid him a rather frosty good evening, but not before she asked him once more not to make any more grand gestures.
“The flowers were great, Reece. So thank you. But it will just be better all around if you keep your distance. I don’t want Alyssa getting hurt like she did when Dan and I broke things off.” She’d trembled when she said it, and he knew the request had cost her.
Now as he plunked his keys onto the key rack, his teeth smacked together. He felt vacant. Like a treasure chest recently emptied. But he wasn’t the kind of guy to force his attentions on a woman who kept insisting she didn’t want them. So where was the line in this situation when he was fairly sure Marie enjoyed his company, but was trying to do what she thought was best for him? Maybe he needed food.
But Mom was in the kitchen cleaning the fridge out like a madwoman, and she was the last person he wanted to see at the moment. Milk, and Tupperwares of leftovers, and pickles and jams were all over the counters. He should have thought to hit up the burger drive-through on the way out from town. He turned to leave.
“You’re making a fool of yourself over that girl.”
He stilled and pinched the bridge of his nose, keeping his back to her so she wouldn’t see the sheer anger pulsing through him at that moment. “No, Mom. But some people certainly are.”
“Reece, honey. That’s not fair. I only want you to be happy. And I don’t think you’re going to find it with a woman like her—”
“A woman like her?” He spun around so quickly his arm knocked one of the Tupperwares, and it scooted across the counter like a hockey puck. “A woman who works multiple jobs and still manages to keep her little girl happy and healthy? A woman who has a heart so tender for those who are where she’s been that she goes out of her way to make them feel included and special? A woman who is forgiven by the grace of God? That kind of woman, Mom? Yeah, that would be terrible.” He stalked down the hallway to his room, knowing he might have to apologize later, not necessarily for what he’d said, but the way he’d said it. Tonight he was too weary and disgusted to do so.
But as he sank onto his bed, a thought struck him so forcefully he shot back to his feet. He retraced his steps down the hall and slammed his palms on the island in the kitchen.
Mom jumped so hard she clipped her head on the handle of the freezer. “Ow! Reece, what has gotten into you?”
“What did you say to her last night?”
With a guilty look, Mom returned her rag to the shelf she’d been wiping down.
“You did say something to her, didn’t you? After I took Alyssa out to her car?”
The only indication she’d heard him was the tightening of her shoulders.
“Unbelievable!”
Mom turned on him and shook her rag in his direction. “I was only trying to save you from yourself. It’s obvious you aren’t listening to any of my warnings where she’s concerned. So it was time to step in and ask her to put you ahead of herself for a change.”
“No, Mom. Stop!” Reece gripped the edges of the granite island countertop so forcefully it was a wonder the rock didn’t disintegrate to dust in his hands. “This is about you! Not about me. I don’t give a rip whether other people look down on me for being with her. But you certainly do. You didn’t do that for me. You did it for you. Heaven help us if anything about the Cahills isn’t exactly perfect, right? Last time I read my Bible, Jesus was more angry with religious self-righteous people than He was with truly repentant sinners.” With that he spun on his heel and stormed back to his room. He snatched off his boots and jeans and traded them for shorts and running shoes. He needed to run off some steam, and quickly, before he put his fist through something.
Thursday morning Marie arrived at Serenity Shores in grubby jeans and a paint-splattered T-shirt. The first thing they were going to do this morning was comb the beach for unbroken shells, sand dollars, and usable pieces of driftwood.
Reece’s friend, Justus, manned a weed eater along the edges of the driveway and paused long enough to raise a hand in greeting.
Alyssa bounced at her side as they waited for someone to answer the door. Mrs. Cahill was the one who pulled the door open. Her gaze slipped over Marie from the messy ponytail she’d gathered at the top of her head to the toes of her paint-stained shoes. Marie had expected to see the normal disapproval but today there was something different in Darlene’s assessment. Almost sorrow. Almost an apology. Almost regret. But all of them not quite tangible. Darlene’s focus swerved to Alyssa. Marie was gratified to see a total softening in the woman’s expression when it came to her daughter.
Darlene stepped back. “Please come in.” She pointed at Marie. “Reece asked me to just have you come on up to the cabins. And what about you, little miss?” Darlene bent down to peer right into Alyssa’s big brown eyes. “Would you like to stay here and help me make cookies in the kitchen?”
“Can I?” Excitement practically had Alyssa wiggling like a puppy.
Marie felt hesitant. She laid a hand on Alyssa’s head to still her before she knocked something expensive over. “I don’t want her to be a bother.”
Darlene waved her off. “No bother at all. And I’ll bring her up when we’re done so I can see the progress up there. To hear Reece go on, you’ve done wonders for the places.” Darlene’s mouth twisted to one side, but a bit of kindness settled around her eyes. “Can I get you some coffee before you go up?”
“Thanks, but I had some before we left the house. I’m good.” She bent and kissed Alyssa on one cheek. “Be a good helper, okay? I’ll see you in a little bit?”
“Bye, Mama!” Alyssa threw herself so forcefully against Darlene’s legs to hug her knees and look up at her that the woman gave a startled chirp and flailed her arms to catch her balance. Alyssa didn’t seem to notice. “What kind of cookies are we making?”
“I’m so sorry,” Marie blurted. “Are you alright?”
Darlene batted away her concern. “She’s just a little girl full of life. It’s good for me to be jolted once in a while.” The smile she offered was the first genuine smile lacking disapprov
al Marie had ever received from the woman. “Go on. We’ll be fine. And”—she turned her attention back to the human octopus wrapped around her legs—“what do you say to chocolate chip?”
“My favorites!” Alyssa spun a little jig.
Marie was still chuckling as she made her way through the living room toward the back patio.
She noticed Dave Cahill watching her progress, the twinkle in his eyes almost disguising the parchment-thin dry skin which sagged along his jawline. She paused. “Hi there. You look a little better today.”
He nodded and waved her closer. “So glad to see you! Is that young one of yours here?”
Marie nodded. “In the kitchen making cookies with Darlene. If you’re good, they might even bring you one later.”
He smiled. “Chocolate chip, I hope?”
Marie blinked hard to keep moisture from her eyes. How many more days would he be able to enjoy such earthly delicacies? Darlene had obviously been thinking of Dave when she’d made that suggestion. Marie dipped her head to affirm Dave’s hopes.
He sighed. “My Darlene, she loves me too well.” He gestured Marie closer and clasped her hand. “We’ve had a good life, she and I. Humor an old man who sees much in the face of his son. He’s carried a weight the past few days that goes beyond what he’s feeling about my situation.” Faded green eyes seemed to search the very depths of her soul as his fingers tightened around hers. “Don’t let fear of pain keep you from enjoying the happiness life can offer.”
He continued to probe her with such a searching look Marie felt it to her toes.
She shook her head. “I’m not afraid of pain.” At least not her own.
The older man’s countenance brightened. “Good. That’s good. My Reece is a good man.”
She swallowed. “Yes. He is.” He deserved to hear the truth before he got his hopes up. And she certainly wasn’t going to lie to a dying man, so she shook her head. “I’m afraid it’s a bit complicated. I’m just not sure I’m the right woman for Reece, Mr. Cahill.”
Caught in the Current (Pacific Shores Book 2) Page 15
