Oh, ye of little faith.
Linc breathed a sigh of relief.
I’d never desert you, Linc.
Like she has.
You’re not going to get that out of me today.
Why?
I work in—
—mysterious ways. I know.
I will say you did the right thing with Jane.
I hated to hurt her
Jane will be fine. I got my eye on this nice manager at the electronics plant for her. She wasn’t for you, buddy.
Is anybody?
No trick questions.
He held up his un-casted arm. My arm’s better. That was a dirty trick, you know.
You needed to slow down.
You’re right. I did.
God took a moment of contented silence.
And thanks for what you’ve done for Rosa. And Annie.
You’re welcome.
Is Bethy gonna be okay?
Bethy’s gonna be just fine.
Linc stood. Well, thanks. I’ll talk to you later.
He got to the sanctuary door when he heard, Linc?
Huh?
You’ll be just fine, too. Trust me.
He smiled back over his shoulder at the cross. That’s good enough for me.
*
ONE OF THE things Linc liked best about sitting on the altar before services was that he got an eagle-eye view of the entire congregation. As the organist played the introductory hymn, he scanned his people. God had a full house today. Every pew of the small sanctuary was occupied, which was good, because nearly everybody in Glen Oaks needed to hear the sermon today.
His sister sat in her usual seat about ten rows back to the left, next to Ron, who was flanked by Lily Hanson. Both Beth and her son looked happier than he’d seen them in a long time, and Linc knew that the past six months had brought them even closer than before. Ronny’s eyes kept darting over to the left side of the church where Tucker sat with Doc and Gerty. Ron and Tucker had gotten tight since the incident with Maze.
Both Loose and Maze were being prosecuted for kidnapping and assault, and Linc had asked God this morning to help him find a way to break through to the boys. He’d never forget what it was like to be a teenager alone in this town and in trouble. He and Joe were getting together tomorrow to talk about what they might be able to do.
Behind Beth, Annie sat with Faith and Matt. Little Belle Star looked happy today, too. Linc felt a pang for Joe, though, who’d chosen a pew in the back of the church, alone. He’d come in after Annie but hadn’t joined her and the kids, or even his mother and Suzie.
Linc smiled and nodded when he caught Rosa DeMartino’s eye. Sitting with her two children, and Anita Camp, Rosa smiled back. Linc hoped he’d made the right decision about not prosecuting Sam, at Rosa’s request. She’d asked him to hold off after Sam had called and said he was residing in upstate New York and begged her and the kids to come to Watkins Glen to live. It was obvious he wanted her away from her support system. Rosa had refused, telling him she was staying in Glen Oaks and had a restraining order against him. She’d informed him that Linc would institute prosecution if he came back and threatened her. She’d also told him he could only see her or the kids if he got help first.
Sam had refused. Like most abusive men, Sam would not go for help. Nor would he recover. Joe Murphy was an exception.
Joe had flown up to see the man, but Joe didn’t think their talk had done any good. Rosa seemed sad sometimes, but healthier and certainly more content. She was practically running Annie’s summer dance program, which gave her much-needed self-confidence. And, of course, all the other women in the self-esteem group were supportive.
The hymn ended, and Linc stood to give the invocation, followed by the doxology, the children’s sermon, and the prayer of joys and concerns. Then he began the sermon. “The title of today’s talk is Forgive Me Not.” He smiled at the sea of attentive faces before him. “Would you all turn to page forty-five in your pew Bibles while I read God’s words on this subject? It’s a familiar story, about the townspeople throwing stones at the adulterous woman.”
Linc read the scripture and then turned calm eyes on the congregation. “What do we have to learn from this lesson on forgiveness? I’d like you all to call to mind two things: someone who has harmed you and someone you’ve harmed. It can be through direct actions that you’ve hurt someone, through negligence, through old grudges, through the inability to accept that someone has changed, or through fear. Now think about the stones you cast against this person: unkind words or even looks, inner resentment that can be felt every time you’re around him or her, of your cold unwillingness to forgive. Those stones hurt more than real ones. Those stones leave more scars.”
Then Linc went on to discuss the opposite, about needing others to forgive you. Finally he came to the last point. “Equally important is the need to forgive yourself for what you’ve done. Just as God asks the townspeople how they expect Him to forgive them if they don’t forgive others, I ask you how you can forgive others if you don’t forgive yourself.” Linc gave them his best stern-minister look.
“Can we change this pattern? Of course. Forgiveness can go a long way in doing that. Forgive me and your friend or mother or sister for what they’ve done, now, today; forgive little and big slights and, forgive yourself for having done these things to others. It’s time to throw away all the stones. God wants you to do this.” He grinned at the congregation. “I know. He told me.”
Linc sat down for the choir’s hymn. Just before they began to sing, he heard God’s voice. It was loud and clear. Remember your own words, Linc. Forgive yourself.
Chapter 30
*
ON SUNDAY, AT noon, Tucker popped the hood of his Jag and stuck his head under it to investigate the rattle he’d heard coming home from church. He smiled, thinking about the Jag. Five months before, this car had brought so many changes to his life, and no matter what happened now, he’d never regret it. The early summer breeze filtering in through the open bay bathed him in warm weather. For the first time in a lot of years, he was looking forward to the coming months.
“Car’s lookin’ good,” he heard from the front of the garage.
Tucker’s head snapped up. “Yeah, kid, it’s as good as new.” Playfully he narrowed his eyes on the boy. “Don’t have no knife on you, do you?”
Ron grinned at the question. “Nah.” He shuffled into the garage, appearing young in baggy denim shorts and an Indy T-shirt. Jamming his hands in his pockets, the boy studied the Jag, then met Tucker’s eyes. “I never said…” he scanned the garage. “…I mean, I never told you I was sorry about what I did to the car.”
Tucker straightened, gripping the wrench. “This comin’ from your uncle’s sermon this morning?”
“Sort of. Other things, too.”
Intrigued, Tucker set down the wrench and leaned back against the side of the Jag. Crossing his arms over his own Indy T-shirt, he cocked his head. “Wanna tell me about it?”
Ronny held his gaze. “I was a shit about everything.”
“You had reason.”
“Not really. I just didn’t know it, then.”
Tucker nodded, feeling his heart swell at the reiteration of the fact that Ron did not hold him responsible for his daddy’s death. That had gone a long way to helping him forgive himself. Guess he’d listened to Linc’s sermon, too. “You already told me this, kid.”
“Yeah, well I wanted to say it again.”
When Ron just stared at him and didn’t say any more, Tucker asked, “Wanna stay around awhile and hang out? Doc’s out in the boat with Gerty, but they won’t be gone all day.”
“No, Lily’s waiting in the car. Her and Sammy and me are spending the day with Mr. Johnson at his cottage. The police found out that Loose and Maze had sabotaged Mr. Johnson’s car. He’s really lucky to be alive.”
“How’s he doin’?”
“Good. The physical therapy’s really helping. Lily lov
es playing with his baby.” Ron rolled his eyes. “Women.”
Tucker chuckled.
“I gotta ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“I want the truth.”
“Scout’s honor.”
“Oh, yeah, I believe that one.”
Sober, Tucker said, “I’ll never lie to you, Ron. I promise. You can trust me.”
The boy’s eyes were wide with belief “My mom? I wanna know if you…if you’re…” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “How do you feel about her, man?”
Tucker had talked to Beth on the phone every night since the incident with Maze and Loose. She’d told him she’d spoken frankly to Ron about her feelings for Tucker, and she’d made it clear she wasn’t giving up on a relationship with him. Tucker had told her in return that he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Ron’s state of mind now, and they needed to hold off for awhile. But he wasn’t giving up either. He’d tried to take solace in the hope they gave each other, but it was hard waiting to be together.
At Tucker’s long hesitation, Ron shook his head. “You said you’d be honest.”
“I love your mother, Ron.”
“You mean it? Sometimes guys say that to chicks…” Ron didn’t finish the thought. He didn’t have to.
Tucker bit back a grin, wondering what Beth would think about her son calling her a chick, much less what she’d think about him coming out here asking after Tucker’s intentions.
“I mean it.” Tucker eyed him. “But we didn’t lie to you, either. My feelings for her have nothin’ to do with you.”
“I know that. Lily said it was a stupid thing to think in the first place.”
“We all do stupid things.”
Ron shrugged. “I guess I should go.”
Tucker nodded. “Thanks for comin’ out here.”
Slowly, Ron crossed to him and stuck out his hand. Tucker clasped it. They held on tight. Ron said, “My mom…She’s home alone now. The diner closes at two on Sundays.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He wondered how fast he could shower and drive to town.
Tucker watched Danny Donovan’s son turn and leave the garage, his step light, his bearing easy, like an ordinary seventeen-year-olds should be. Just before he got out of sight, he turned back.
“So I’ll be seeing you around, right?”
“You’ll be seein’ me, son. That’s a promise.”
*
THE DREAM CAME, bathing her in its erotic shroud. Tucker was in her bedroom, sitting on the edge of her bed, brushing back her hair.
Turning to the side, she grasped his hand and brought it to her breast. His moan was loud and lusty and so sexy it made every part of her body hurt. She arched into his palm.
His touch intensified as he flicked a thumb over her bare nipple. It was her turn to moan. She felt his hand slide lower, caress her stomach, which he leaned over and kissed.
“Please…more,” she whispered into the dreamy darkness.
A male chuckle.
His hand went lower. He cupped her boldly.
She cried out. “Tucker!”
Then his mouth was at her ear. “Wake up darlin’. You’re killin’ me, here.”
From outside of the dream, she could see her head move back and forth on the pillow. “No, no. Don’t want to wake up.”
Butterfly soft kisses on her cheek. A mouth on her neck.
She raised her hand and clasped his nape, anchoring him to her, trying madly to hold on to the dream.
It was the smell that woke her. The woodsy, just-applied, very real smell of aftershave.
She opened her eyes. “Oh, my God.”
He drew back. His gaze was filled with an odd combination of lust and amusement. “Sweetheart, if you’re this sexy asleep, I can’t wait to get my hands on you when you’re awake.”
She glanced down her body, naked beneath the slipping sheet. Then she looked back up at him. Never in her life had she wanted a man more. “I…”
Standing, he dragged his blue and white striped dress shirt out of his navy pants. His big hands released one button on the placket, then two. “The door was unlocked. You should be more careful. No tellin’ who’ll come in and find you in bed, all lazy and warm, in the middle of a Sunday afternoon.”
“Careful?” Her mouth went dry when the entire set of buttons was undone. Better than a Chippendale, he shrugged out of the shirt slowly. A mass of curly dark blond hair drew her gaze like a magnet. It dropped lower when his hands went to his belt.
“I locked up the house, of course,” he said matter-of-factly.
Jingle, jingle. The belt was unfastened.
“And the bedroom door’s locked, too, just to be safe.”
“Safe?” she whispered hoarsely over the audible rasp of a zipper being undone.
“Hmm.” Plop. Plop. Shoes hit the floor. “And I closed all the blinds and unplugged the phones.”
His pants dropped to his feet revealing navy blue silk boxers. “We’re all alone, Mary Elizabeth. Just you and me.”
His thumbs hooked into the waistband of his shorts, he gave her an I’m-yours-baby look. She knew she should ask him something, but she couldn’t think straight, could only stare at the road map of muscles rippling his chest, cording his arms and bare legs. All of him was lightly dusted with the dark blond hair, as if God had sprinkled it himself in just the right places.
“Don’t stop there,” she whispered achingly.
“Your son came to see me today.” He eased the Calvin Kleins down an inch.
She swallowed hard. “Do I have a son?”
He chuckled and the sexy sound made her toes curl.
Another inch was bared. Oh, God.
“He asked me what my intentions were with you.”
Her gaze flew to his face. “And you told him?”
“Not about this.”
Her gaze dropped to this.
One more inch and he stopped. “Look at me, darlin’.”
“I am, Tucker, oh, I am.”
“Look at my face.”
Reluctantly her gaze traveled up his body. She took pleasure in the way it flushed as she perused it.
His voice was husky as he said, “Before we do this…” He stared at her. “I want you to know I told Ron that I was in love with you, Beth.”
“Tell me.”
He smiled. Dropped his shorts, and stood before her eloquently aroused. After giving her a minute to look her fill, he whipped back the sheet, took his own sweet time letting his eyes travel over the contours, dips, and curves of her body then placed a knee on the bed.
Finally, he covered her with his weight; he drew her arms up so they bracketed her head and linked his hands with hers. “I love you, Beth. The kid’s okay with it now, but even if he wasn’t, I didn’t plan to let you go. I want to marry you.” He bumped his middle with hers, giving her a sample of his impressive anatomy.
She bumped back. “Yes.”
“Yes? Just like that?”
“Uh-huh. Don’t take no time at all for Bonnie Parker to make up her mind, Mister.”
Just before his mouth closed over hers, he whispered, “Good. Maybe we can work on a little brother or sister for Ronny.”
Sexily, Beth smiled. “Ronny would like that.”
Tucker smiled back. “So would The Menace.”
*
“THIS IS MARGO, leave a message.”
“Come on, honey, pick up.” Sneakered feet propped up, Linc lounged back at his desk and stared at the wall, at the cross she’d given him. No answer. “Aw, hell, where are you at five o’clock on Sunday night? Do you realize you haven’t talked to me in a month? I miss you, Mary Margaret.”
Still no answer.
“You know, I feel like I’m having an affair with your answering machine.” Under his breath, he murmured, “Is this like cybersex?”
He could swear he heard her chuckle. Geez, he was really losing it.
“I love you, damn it, and I’m
not letting you go. I’ll storm down to New York, throw you over my shoulder and drag you back here if I have to. Like I did when you and that freaky guy in college were planning to go cross country.”
“I remember that.” Her voice was husky.
“Oh, thank God.” She’d picked up. “I’m mad at you, Margo.”
“I’m sorry.”
Something was wrong here. “You sound funny.”
“You look funny sitting there with your feet up on your desk talking to an answering machine. The new jeans I bought you fit great, though.”
His feet hit the floor with a thud, and Linc whirled around in the chair. His jaw dropped.
“Close your mouth, Rev, or you’ll catch flies.” Full of sass and dressed like sin, she lounged in his open doorway. Dusk was falling, and he devoured the sight of her. Black pants to just below her knees gave way to an expanse of shin and ended in three-inch mules. A leopard-skin Spandex top hugged her curves.
He wondered how quickly he could get the outfit off of her.
“Why have you been avoiding me?” he asked softly.
She sidled inside and closed the door. “It’s a long story.”
Standing, he walked toward her. Probably because of the look on his face, she backed up to the door. When he reached her, he snicked the lock and braced his hands on either side of her head, palms flat against the wood.
Then he took her mouth. It was a hot, sexy kiss that had her whimpering. His last thought before irrationality claimed him was that at least he still had the touch to send her up in flames.
The kiss went on a very long time. When he pulled back, her eyes were slumberous, her body soft and pliant.
“Come on, baby.” He drew her to the couch. “Sit.”
She sat.
He dropped down next to her. Taking her hand, he held on tight. “What’s going on? You got me dyin’ here.”
“I’m sorry,” she said sincerely. “I had a lot of thinking to do, and being with you confuses the issues.”
He scowled. “What are the issues? What’s been happening?”
“I quit my job.”
“What?”
“I quit CompuQuest.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know where to start.”
Bad Boy Heroes Boxed Set Page 99
