Carved in Stone

by Donna McDonald

  Will closed his eyes, feeling the hurt to the depths of him. It was Nathan, he thought. Jessica had gone back to therapy because she was remembering Nathan. Also his fault, he decided, even as he wondered for the millionth time how he managed to do so much unintentional damage to a woman he loved.

  “Jessica has survived a lot worse in her life than our relationship,” Will said softly. “I’m sure what we had will seem like nothing more than a minor speed bump along the road of her life one day soon.”

  “I’m not worried about her getting over you. I’m worried because she’s stopped flirting,” Melanie said briskly. “I’ve known Jessica Daniels for over a decade. Men come and go, but this is the first time she has gotten to a point where she doesn’t flirt, laugh, or tease no matter what a man says to her. Poor old Mr. Beaumont was devastated when she didn’t kiss him on the cheek when she left the other day.”

  “Great. It’s barely been a week and she’s kissing other men already,” Will said morosely.

  “No, it’s not great. Mr. Beaumont is ninety-two. Jessica always flirts with him and kisses him goodbye.” Melanie wiped the counter furiously. “She’s not happy anymore, Will. That’s what always set her apart from other women. Jessica Daniels was always happy with herself. She was my role model.”

  Will wanted the ground to just open up and swallow him. His guilt over ruining Jessica Daniels’ happy life was so heavy it was breaking his back to stand up straight.

  “I can’t fix this if she won’t talk to me,” Will said sadly, rubbing his face as he slid off the bar stool. He tucked bills beside his coffee cup and picked up his helmet. “If you have any suggestions, let me know.”

  Melanie nodded and watched Will walk out the door. She could think of nothing this time to help either of them. The best she could hope for was for Jessica to come around.

  ***

  “I know it’s been a while since I came by for a visit, but I met this man I really needed to talk to you about. The funny thing is he’s a lot like you.”

  Jessica dropped to the grass besides Nathan Daniels’ grave and sat. The Lexington Cemetery was as beautiful as any park, and you forgot that if you didn’t visit much.

  “I’m thinking about marrying him, Nathan. What I feel for him has made it pretty obvious to me that I need to let go of you completely before I do.

  She plucked at the grass and ran a hand over the ground.

  “You were a good husband for the short time we were together. I know you couldn’t be there after the rape, but I always thought you somehow sent the good men my way to help me. I just never could get serious about any of them though.”

  Jessica reached out and arranged the flowers she’d brought with her in the little vase she had buried in the ground by his headstone years ago.

  “Okay. So the man’s name is William Larson. He’s both a retired principal and a stone sculptor. I’m mad at him right now because he—well, it’s complicated. And stupid, I guess, if I believe everybody else. I think I have right to be upset, but Dr. Whitmore says I’m just looking for an excuse to push Will away like I did with all the other men since you. Do you think that’s true?” Jessica asked sadly, her voice starting quiver as her eyes filled with tears.

  “You know, I told myself after I lost you that I was never going to love any man that much again, and I haven’t until now. Dr. Whitmore keeps telling me I need to go tell Will I love him and talk things out.” Jessica sniffed. “I miss him, Nathan. I don’t know if that means I love him or not, but I miss him more than I even missed you when you died. I hope you think this is okay because I don’t think all the therapy in the world is going to change how I feel about him.”

  She stood and looked down at the grave, sniffling and fighting tears while she tried to finish. “This is probably going to be my last grave visit for a very long time. I would appreciate it if you would stay out of my dreams because I really don’t want any more confusion. I’m going to have to go take on an ex-wife who wants Will back, and two of the sweetest, but most interfering adult children on earth. Brooke is going to love them, but the Larson family is not restful or easy. I need a clear mind to deal with them.”

  Jessica pulled up the bottom of her tee shirt and used it to wipe her eyes and nose.

  “You know that I’m usually not such an emotional mess. Will just does this to me. It’s one of the many reasons I tried not to get involved with him for so long. But I don’t think you can choose who you love.

  She looked around the other graves. It wasn’t her time yet. And she didn’t want to go before she had lived and loved with everything in her. “You know I really loved you, Nathan. Will is the first man I’ve loved since you, and I just needed to let you know about him before I try to make it work.”

  “I hope wherever you are that you are happy,” Jessica added. “Wish me luck, okay?”

  She rubbed her runny nose on her sleeve again as she walked back to her car.

  ***

  Michael carried Carrie’s overnight case into his bedroom and set it on the bed.

  “So this is your room. I haven’t completely emptied the bathroom yet, but I’ll get that done before you move in,” he said, searching her fearful gaze for signs that she was going to break and run. “Please stop looking like this is a prison cell. Can’t you spin it a little bit positively in that business brain of yours?”

  Carrie shook her head to clear the overwhelming confusion she felt. “Sorry. You’ve been great. You were great today and I—I don’t mean to be ungrateful for your help.”

  “Okay, that’s more contrition than I can handle,” Michael said, walking to her and putting his arms around her to hug gently. She froze in his arms, but he ran comforting light hands over her back until she relaxed against him for a moment. “We’ve been lovers. You’re carrying my child. You have to let me try to be your friend for a few months while we deal with this situation. I’m too emotional a person to walk around here being stoic while you hurt.”

  “Give me a few days,” she said, pulling out of his arms and walking a few steps away. “I’ll try to find some way to think about all this that won’t be obnoxious.”

  “You’re not being obnoxious,” Michael declared, shoving hands in his pockets to stop from reaching for her again. “I just—look, settle in and then come find me. I’m working on a new piece out in the courtyard. Dad’s out there finishing a marble bust that I think you’d enjoy seeing. My mother is picking up food on the way over. I hope the medicine will let you eat.”

  “Okay,” Carrie said, because it seemed the only polite answer to give. “Thanks, Michael.”

  When Michael walked out of the room and closed the door softly behind him, Carrie collapsed on the bed and thought about how much the room smelled like him. It was the only scent that didn’t seem to send her immediately running to be sick.

  She stretched out with her shoes still on and closed her eyes, thinking she’d just give herself a few moments to rest. A couple minutes later she was fast asleep.

  ***

  “Carrie’s in the bedroom settling in,” Michael told his father as he watched him remove the dust from the bust’s breasts with a soft brush. “That’s absolutely some of your best work.”

  Will turned and looked at his son. “I know, and thanks.”

  “Why a bust?” Michael asked. “Why not a full statue? A Venus de Milo with Jessica’s body and face would be an amazing piece of work. Your girlfriend’s hot.”

  “Overlooking the hot comment from the newly engaged man, I’m just going to tell you I chose a bust because the look on Jessica’s face is what I miss the most when we’re not together,” Will said quietly. “The first time I picked her up to go out, she had the most eager, open expression I’ve ever seen on any woman over seventeen. There are very few circumstances that put that level of happiness on her face. I hope she finds someone to do that for her again. I carved what I wanted for her—for both of us.”

  “Jessica’s coming back to you,
Dad. She just needs some time to get over the fact she overreacted. I think I understand her. She and I are a lot alike,” Michael said. “Damn if Shane’s touchy-feely lingo isn’t rubbing off on me.”

  “Did I hear my name being used in vain?” Shane said, walking up to his brother and father. “Where’s the woman we’re supposed to meet. Gee Dad, nice bust of Jessica.”

  “Thanks,” Will said, smiling at Shane’s unabashed appraisal.

  Shane walked over and ran a hand over the statue’s face and his fingertips over her breasts. When he looked at his father, he simply couldn’t stifle the laugh at his Dad’s angry expression.

  “What? You created it. Better get used to it being touched. It’s damn near irresistible. All your statues are, Dad,” Shane said, grinning.

  Will sighed and frowned at him. “Put my reaction in your damn book and you will die a slow, tortuous death. Fathers have sacrificed their children throughout history. I’m still young enough to make another child to replace you.”

  Shane exchanged a wicked look with Michael, who was grinning but saying nothing. “Tell me you haven’t wanted to touch it.”

  “Don’t look at me, bro. I have enough problems,” Michael said. “I don’t need Dad upset with me.”

  “Your mother move completely out yet?” Will asked Shane, trying to get the conversation onto something other than the bust of Jessica and how appealing it was.

  “I have the rest of her stuff in my car. She and Luke are coming to dinner, right?” Shane said.

  Michael nodded. “Yes. I thought we would do one dinner meet and greet with Carrie to get it over with quickly. She’s still pretty sick, so she may end up heading to her room for most of the evening. Mom is picking up the catered food I ordered. I didn’t want to fill the house with cooking smells until Carrie’s medicine starts to take better effect. The doctor said it would be two or three days.”

  Will patted Michael on the shoulder. “That was very thoughtful. Your mother was sick both times she was pregnant. It’s really awful watching someone go through it. I can’t imagine how it is to be the one sick for months and months.”

  “If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know,” Shane said, keeping his voice quiet.

  Michael nodded. “Just try not to scare her with your ugly mug. Are you ever going to get a haircut again or shave on a regular basis?”

  Shane raked a hand through his shoulder length blond locks and tucked them back behind his ears. “There. Is that more respectable?”

  “No. It’s still on your head,” Michael said on a laugh. “But I guess it will have to do.”

  A rap on the patio door had them all looking at the cool blond smiling and waving at them.

  “Mom looks so much happier. I don’t know what happened, but it was good,” Shane said, smiling.

  Will looked at Ellen and watched her setting the food out on Michael’s kitchen table. He walked back to the bust of Jessica.

  “I guess Luke forgave her,” Will said softly, taking a cloth and wiping the rest of the dust away.

  “Yeah—thanks to Jessica,” Shane said sharply. “Mom said she stopped in the parking lot and told Luke it was his job as her husband to help her be happy. Evidently, he took her advice.”

  Will stopped wiping to look at Shane. “I think it was a toss-up who Jessica was more angry with—me or your mother. I guess it must have been me since she actually talked to Ellen and Luke. Hell, I’m just the guy sleeping with her. Why should Jessica talk to me and give me a chance to explain?”

  Shane looked at his brother. “Now I know where you got all that emotional stuff from. Dad whines just like you when he gets upset.”

  “Whines?” Michael exclaimed. “I do not whine. I express myself in a healthy way, and I’m about to sit on you while Dad takes his turn expressing himself.”

  Shane burst out laughing. “Well I guess before you guys gang up on me, I’ll just go help Mom in the kitchen.”

  “Running away would be a wise choice,” Will said, fixing his youngest son with a narrowed gaze. “I’m pretty physically frustrated right now. Kicking your ass appeals to me as a healthy outlet for my emotions, Dr. Larson.”

  Shane walked off laughing, satisfied that the only emotion the men in his family would be expressing this evening was some bullshit anger.

  Michael stood there for a moment frowning at the patio door after Shane had gone inside.

  “I do not whine,” he said firmly, his head turning sharply at his father’s belly laugh. “What’s so funny?”

  “If my parents were still alive, I would tell them how grateful I am to be an only child. Shane yanks your chain, and you strain on the end of it every time,” Will said. “One day you’re going to learn not to let him see that he’s getting to you.”

  “He insulted you too,” Michael reminded him, grinning.

  “Yes,” Will agreed, laughing again. “But I don’t care as much about what he thinks as you do. He may be a boy genius in his field, but to me he will always primarily remain my smart-ass son.”

  “One day I’m going to get even,” Michael said, crossing his arms.

  Will snorted. “Right. That’s very mature for a man about to get married and become a father.”

  “Beats whining,” Michael said, enjoying his father’s rolling laughter. He hadn’t heard it much lately. “I’m going to check on Carrie. How near done are you?”

  “I can stop anytime. Just let me know when you want me inside. I’m not keen on making casual conversation with your mother and Luke until I have to.”

  Chapter 22

  Ellen knew Shane and Luke were in the living room watching the sports highlights for the week. She had seen Michael creeping down the hall and quietly into the master bedroom. The kitchen table was laden with food, and it wasn’t time to make final preparations.

  There was nothing else to do now except the one thing Ellen Cannon didn’t want to do, but needed to. She needed to go out to the courtyard and apologize to her ex-husband. So sliding the patio door behind her, she walked carefully through the courtyard to where Will was cleaning his tools and putting them away.

  “Will?” she called, then stopped as her eyes landed on the bust. “Oh. That’s so beautiful. Look at her face. She looks radiant.”

  “Is that actually a compliment on my art?” Will asked sarcastically, but smiling to soften the question.

  “Yes. It’s a compliment,” Ellen said quickly. “And I can’t believe how amazing Jessica Daniels looks in marble.”

  Will shrugged. “Thanks.”

  “I’m sorry Will. I’m sorry I caused you grief in your new relationship and sorry I thought only of myself for a long time. I never meant to hurt you. I just couldn’t seem to avoid it,” Ellen said, her eyes tearing up. “I’m sure Jessica will get over this. She’s a passionate, hot-headed woman, but I don’t think she’s totally unreasonable. In fact, she seems like the perfect match for you.”

  “Yeah, well—you can tell her that next time you talk to her. She’s still not talking to me. I tried calling and going by the house. She’s ignoring me pretty well,” Will said.

  “If you want me to go talk to her, I will. I owe both of you that much. Luke has been a different man since she talked to us in the parking lot. I don’t want to repeat that awful night, but it may end up being the best thing that ever happened to my marriage. I’m happy, Will. I want you to be happy, too.” Ellen looked at the bust. “I want you to be happy with Jessica Daniels.”

  “Keep saying it. I’m starting to believe you,” Will said, closing the box and walking to where Ellen stood. “I would like us to be friends—real friends. We’re going to be grandparents. Michael’s situation is not good, and we’re going to need to help him. I don’t want the kids worrying about us, too.”

  “No. I agree with that,” Ellen said, meaning it. She looked at the bust again. “In all the years we were married, you never carved me, Will. A relationship that inspiring to you is worth fighting for, do
n’t you think?”

  “How can I fix it if the woman won’t talk to me?” Will asked sadly, letting his true frustration show to a person that had known him through many hard times.

  Ellen grabbed his arms and shook him while she laughed. “William Everett Larson, use that incredible stubbornness of yours to go after her. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.”

  Will laughed in return, feeling more hopeful than he had in days. It was the most natural thing in the world to put his arms around Ellen for a comforting hug.

  ***

  Not having the heart to wake her yet when she was still so pale, Michael had left Carrie still sleeping on the bed. They could wait another half hour, he thought.

  He started to veer into the living room to hang with Shane and Luke when the doorbell rang. Bypassing the living room, he glanced in the kitchen and saw his mother was not around. So he headed to the door wondering if she’d locked herself outside. The last person he’d expected to see was Jessica standing on his front step.

  “Jessica. Come in. You’re just in time to meet my fiancée,” Michael said.

  “Fiancée? When did this happen? I thought she was marrying someone else,” Jessica said, her forehead wrinkling in confusion.

  “Dad didn’t tell you?” Michael said, shock on his features. “Well, a lot has happened to me lately. Getting her pregnant moved me up in line on the next-guy-to-marry list.”

  “Decided to throw everything you had into the relationship, did you?” Jessica said, a twinkle in her eye.

  “Well, I always did like cranking up the heat under a burning flame,” Michael said, as he laughed and slipped an arm around her waist. “I’m really happy about this, and I’m sorry you were the last to know.”

  “I’ve been ignoring your father. Now I’ve decided to come fight again. Can I talk to him?” she asked.

  Jessica wiped sweaty palms on her jeans as Michael let her go.