Truth and Solace (Love at Solace Lake Book 3)

by Jana Richards

  Ethan gently touched Maggie’s shoulder and she jerked in alarm, too deep in agony to notice he’d entered the living room. Harper held her tighter and stroked her hair in a soothing caress.

  “Sorry, Maggie,” Ethan said quietly. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Scarlet’s here.” He turned to Harper. “I’m going out for a while, sweetheart. I’ll be back later.”

  Maggie sat up and shook her head. “You don’t have to do that, Ethan. This is your house.”

  He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. The gesture was so tender, and so brother-like, it made her eyes sting.

  “I think I do. Whatever’s going on, you need to talk to your sisters about it.”

  He left the room, patting Scarlet’s arm as he passed her on his way out. Scarlet walked toward her, her brows knitting together in concern. “Honey, whatever’s wrong, we’ll figure it out it. Okay?”

  Maggie jumped off the couch and went to her, letting her sister wrap her arms around her and give her comfort. Until that moment, she’d kept the tears at bay, even as she’d said goodbye to Phyllis. She’d come to Harper’s house with all her belongings, only telling her she couldn’t stay in the same house as Luke. Harper comforted her and didn’t pry.

  But now there was no stopping the tears. She cried for her mother and for the man she’d believed all her life to be her father. And she cried for herself and Luke, for the life they could never have together.

  “Oh, baby girl. I’m sorry.” Scarlet led her back to the couch and made her sit. Harper held her close and murmured soothing words in her ear. Maggie cried until she was empty inside.

  Scarlet stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry you had a falling out with Luke. You looked so happy together, I’d hoped he’d decided to stay. Is that why you argued? Because he’s determined to go back to California?”

  Maggie shook her head. Time for the truth. The whole truth.

  She told them about the intense relationship she and Luke had had ten years ago, about his desire to go away to school, and how she’d learned he’d taken money from their grandfather to leave Minnewasta. To leave her.

  “Oh, Maggie. I’m sorry you were hurt like this,” Harper said.

  “So am I.” Tears shone in Scarlet’s eyes. “I wanted you to be happy the way Harper and I are.”

  Maggie nodded and squeezed her eyes shut to stop the tears. She’d wanted that, too.

  Harper linked her fingers with hers. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think I understand why Grampa did what he did. You weren’t even fifteen, and you were having a sexual relationship with Luke. Grandma and Grampa were trying to protect you. Their methods were heavy-handed, but I know they acted out of love.”

  Scarlet squeezed her arm. “And I can see why Luke took the money. Right or wrong, he saw it as his only chance to make something of his life. Luke was a little younger than me, but I remember kids teasing him in school about who his father was and how he’d deserted him.”

  Maggie knew all the reasons why Luke wanted to get away. But had lying to her, humiliating her in front of Cheryl Bradley, been his only choice?

  Maybe later, when she was thinking more clearly, she could better understand his decisions. Right now, she had to tell her sisters the rest of the story.

  “The day Grandma died was the day Luke told me he didn’t want me. But I was determined to find him and make him see we belonged together. Grandma and I argued, and I said some horrible things to her. And then she had the heart attack. If I hadn’t fought with her, if I hadn’t threatened to run away—”

  “Stop right there.” Harper put up her hand. “You are in no way responsible for Grandma’s heart attack. She was sick, Maggie. She’d had heart trouble for years, and she’d had a heart attack a couple of years previously. Another attack was going to happen whether you argued with her or not.”

  Maggie was shocked to learn about the previous heart attack, but it didn’t excuse her behavior. “If I hadn’t put her under so much stress—”

  “Harper is right,” Scarlet said. “You were a teenager trying to cope with a terrible situation. No one blames you, so stop blaming yourself.”

  Maggie wasn’t sure she could ever stop blaming herself, but she was relieved to know they didn’t hold her responsible. But even this confession wasn’t the total truth. “There’s more. Much more.”

  Scarlet put her hand over her belly as if to protect her unborn child. “All right. Let’s hear it.”

  Maggie told them everything Abby had told her about their mother’s affair, starting with the teenage love and the difference in ages that so mirrored events in Maggie’s life. She swallowed hard as she came to the crucial part. “At the end of the summer, Miranda went back to Robert, but she discovered she was pregnant. With me. And both she and Robert knew he couldn’t be my father.”

  Harper and Scarlet stared at her as the implications sunk in. Harper’s lips moved but she couldn’t seem to find words. Maggie swallowed and looked at her hands folded neatly in her lap. How odd they appeared so calm when she was churning with anxiety.

  “So this means we’re not real sisters,” she said. Tears welled up in her eyes again.

  Scarlet sat up straighter. “Not real sisters? What are you talking about?”

  Harper gripped her hands. “This information changes nothing. We’re sisters, period.”

  “But now we know we have different fathers. We’re only half sisters—”

  “I don’t give a damn about fractions.” Harper got on her knees in front of Maggie, squeezing her hands hard. “We’re sisters. We’ve always been sisters and that’s the way it’s always going to be.”

  “That’s right.” Scarlet slipped her arm around her shoulders. “Nothing can change the sisterhood of the Lindquist girls.”

  “I don’t even know what my last name is supposed to be. I ran away before Abby could tell me Miranda’s boyfriend’s name.”

  “You mean the name of your father,” Harper said gently.

  “Yes.” She had difficulty thinking of this unknown man as her father.

  “I have to admit I’m a little envious,” Scarlet said on a sigh. “You have a chance to get to know your father. That’s something not open to Harper and I.”

  “I don’t even know if he’s still alive. And if he is, why has he never come forward?”

  Harper cupped her cheek. “You need to find out from Abby. She may be the only person who knows the truth.”

  She didn’t need to add that time was quickly running out to discover the secrets that Abby had kept hidden for so long. Heaviness hung unspoken in the air, weighing down their thoughts.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Luke handed the guest an envelope. “Here’s your key card. Your room is down the hall and to your left, number one twenty-seven. Enjoy your stay.”

  “I’m sure we will. We can’t wait to get out on the cross-country ski trails.”

  “We’ve had a lot of snow. The trails are in great shape.”

  The guest held his young daughter’s hand. “Sounds wonderful. Thanks.”

  The little girl gave Luke an impish grin that made him smile. She had dark eyes and dark braids that hung beneath her knitted hat. She reminded him of Maggie…

  Everything reminded him of Maggie.

  He pushed down a lump of guilt and greeted the next group of guests in line. He, Harper and their new desk clerk had been working steadily at the front desk to check people in. Despite a few minor glitches, the grand opening celebrations were going well. The packed house meant every staff member was working flat out. The jury was still out, but it looked like the Lindquist sisters would make a success of the new Solace Lake Lodge.

  He was happy for them, and proud of their accomplishments. It would have been fun to see this venture through, to be part of their ongoing success. But it wasn’t to be. Maggie didn’t want him at the lodge, and he couldn’t blame her.

  Thinking about Maggie made his chest ache. In the last few days,
they’d only spoken about matters concerning the business. But despite their lack of communication, she’d made it perfectly clear they were over.

  After he finished checking in another family, Harper quietly turned to him. “Reese is on line one, and he’s asking for you. I think you should take this call in the office.”

  The bottom fell out of his stomach. He nodded briefly to Harper and left for the privacy of the office. He sat behind the desk, his hand shaking as he picked up the phone. “Reese?”

  “Luke. Your mother is asking for you and Maggie. The nurse says…she says it won’t be long now.”

  Luke bent his head, barely suppressing a groan. He wasn’t ready. He’d never be ready. “I’ll come right away.”

  “Please ask Maggie to come, too. I know how busy you all are, but seeing her once more is important to Abby. She can’t rest until she does.”

  “I don’t know if Maggie will come with me.”

  “Please, Luke. It’s important that Maggie comes.” His mother likely wanted to tell her the name of her biological father.

  He squeezed his eyes shut. Maggie needed to know as much as his mother needed to tell her. “I’ll make sure she does.”

  He hurried out of the office and past the front desk, giving Harper a nod. She nodded back, understanding and sorrow in her eyes. Luke wove his way past the guests filling the restaurant and bar and entered the kitchen. The room was thrumming with organized chaos. Maggie plated food with a quick, efficient hand while calling orders to Celeste and the two new line cooks they’d hired. Luke touched her arm.

  “Maggie. Reese called. Mom wants to see us. He says it won’t be long now.”

  As she stared at him, a rainbow of emotions crossed her face, each one speaking to him in silent words. He saw surprise, indecision, resignation, and finally sorrow and a touch of fear. Was she afraid of what his mother had left to say?

  She turned to her sous-chef, her face bleak. “Celeste? I have to go.”

  Celeste understood immediately. She wrapped Maggie in a hug, then gave her a little push toward the door. “Go. Don’t worry about us, honey. We’ll be fine.”

  Maggie expelled a long, slow breath as she hung her apron on a peg near the door, then turned to Celeste once more. She looked so lost Luke had to clench his fists to keep from touching her. “I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

  “It doesn’t matter. We’ll take care of everything here.”

  She nodded before turning to face him. He could almost see the armour she was building around her heart, to protect herself from what she was about to face, or possibly from him. He squeezed his eyes shut against the pain.

  “I’m ready.”

  They made it to his mother’s house in less than fifteen minutes. Reese met them at the door and captured Maggie’s hands in his. “Thank you for coming. I know this is not easy for you.”

  Maggie only nodded, her gaze slipping to Luke’s. She was scared. Without thinking, he reached for her hand and was relieved she didn’t try to pull away. Instead, she held on tight.

  Reese led them to the bedroom where Paula was taking his mother’s pulse. His mom looked frail and small in the hospital bed, like a tiny, wounded bird. She opened her eyes as they entered and, despite her weakness, managed a smile.

  “My darlings.”

  His throat threatened to close. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Luke, my sweet boy. Maggie, dear, come sit beside me. Please.”

  She did as his mother asked. “I’m sorry about running away before. I didn’t know what to do or what to think. Your news caught me completely off-guard.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I had to tell you like that, but you needed to know. You deserve to know.”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you ready to hear the end of the story?”

  Maggie’s gaze locked briefly with his. Then, she lifted her chin and smiled for his mother. “I’m ready.”

  Luke had never been prouder of her, of her strength, her grace, her kindness. And he’d never loved her more.

  Reese stood on the other side of the bed. “Paula, would you mind leaving us for a few minutes?”

  “Of course, Reese. I’ll be in the living room if you need me.”

  Paula left the room and quietly closed the door. Maggie reached for his mother’s hand. “I’d like to hear the rest of the story, Abby.”

  “All right.” She rested her head against her pillows. “Miranda and Robert tried to work things out when they found out you were on the way. I know they went to marriage counseling, but things got even worse after you were born. I believe Robert loved her very much, but the strain of knowing you were another man’s baby was too much. You were a living, breathing reminder of Miranda’s infidelity, and worse, a reminder that her heart belonged to someone else. Cracks began to form in the marriage and they argued constantly.

  “It soon became obvious to both of them that they couldn’t go on because the tension was beginning to affect Harper and Scarlet. So Robert moved out, and Miranda contacted your father and told him about you. He was overjoyed. He told her he didn’t care that she’d gone back to Robert. The five of them could now be together as a family. There was nothing standing in their way any longer.

  “Miranda was thrilled to finally be able to start a life with the man she’d loved for so long. She planned to leave Robert the house, so as soon as school was out, she packed up you girls and headed to the lodge. She had to tell her parents about her upcoming divorce and about Robert not being your father.”

  Maggie grasped her hand. “But she never told Harper and Scarlet any of this. She only said they would be moving to a new house and new life.”

  Abby’s sigh was long and tired. “I tried to tell her keeping the girls in the dark was a mistake. But she wanted to wait until your father got to the lodge so they could tell them together.

  “Your father was working in Ohio on a construction crew, and he moved back to Minnesota right away and started looking for a house near Minneapolis where they could all live. Miranda wanted Harper and Scarlet to be close enough to their father to be able to see him often.

  “Unfortunately, finding a house took longer than he planned. Before he could take you away to your new home, Robert showed up at the lodge. I guess he had a change of heart and went there to try one last time to win Miranda back. And now we know the truth about what happened. He didn’t kill Miranda. He loved her to the end and died trying to save her.”

  “And my father? What happened to him?”

  “He was grief-stricken. He’d lost both the woman he loved and you, with one fatal blow.”

  “Is he…is he still alive?”

  “Yes.”

  Maggie’s throat worked. “Abby, can you tell me who my father is? Like you said, I have the right to know.”

  “Yes, you have the right to know.” Her gaze flickered toward her husband. “Doesn’t she, Reese?”

  “Yeah.”

  In that one, barely audible word, Luke heard the pent-up emotion in his stepfather’s voice. Maggie must have heard it, too. She lifted her gaze to Reese, and he reached out to touch her shoulder.

  “I hope you’re not disappointed, Maggie. It’s me. I’m your father.”

  Maggie stared at him. All these years, it had been Reese. He’d known he was her father since she was less than two years old and he’d done nothing. Why hadn’t he told her?

  Abby’s voice was barely a whisper. “I know you don’t understand. You have to let him explain. Let him be your father. I’ve always known he’d be a wonderful father.”

  Her confessions had taken a toll. Her hand fell limply to her side and lines of fatigue etched grooves between her brows. Reese kissed her forehead and gently tucked the blanket around her. “Rest now, sweetheart.”

  Her eyes flickered open. “I love you, Reese. I’ve always loved you. My first love and my last.”

  “I love you, too, Abby.” He caressed her cheek with a gentle hand. “You’re the best wife, the best pa
rtner a man could ever have.”

  When Reese raised his head, tears streaked his face. Answering tears filled Maggie’s eyes, but she wouldn’t let them fall. She needed answers.

  “Let’s go into the other room and let Mom sleep,” Luke said quietly.

  Maggie and Reese followed him to the living room. Reese wiped his eyes with a tissue and addressed the nurse. “Paula, would you mind sitting with Abby for a while?”

  “Of course.”

  As soon as she heard the door to Abby’s room close behind the nurse, Maggie turned on Reese. “Why didn’t you tell me? Where were you when I was growing up?”

  “I don’t blame you for being angry.” Reese lowered himself into an armchair, his movements slow. “Please, Maggie, sit down and I’ll try to explain. You too, Luke. You need to hear this.”

  She perched on the edge of the sofa cushion, too full of questions to relax. She wanted to shout at Reese, to demand answers. Instead, she folded her hands in her lap and forced herself to wait for him to speak. Luke sat next to her, his pale face telling her he was as shocked at this news as she was.

  “I loved your mother very much, Maggie. Abby told you how we fell in love as teenagers?”

  “Yes.” She glanced at Luke. “Your story was eerily similar to mine and Luke’s.”

  “I guess it was. Strange how history repeated itself.” He closed his eyes a moment before continuing. “I never stopped loving Miranda, even after she went back to her husband. When she told me you were my child and that she was leaving Robert, I was ecstatic. We were finally going to be together, and we were going to be a family.

  “And then I heard she was dead. I couldn’t believe it. I went crazy. I drove to the lodge and demanded that your grandparents hand you over to me. Of course, they wouldn’t. Miranda’s will gave them legal custody of you and your sisters. In the eyes of the law, you were Robert Lindquist’s child. And to be honest, I was in no shape to raise you. I was consumed by grief and anger and guilt.”

  “Why did you feel guilty?”

  Reese scrubbed a hand across his face. “If only I’d come for Miranda and you girls immediately instead of trying to find someplace nice for us all to live. If I’d taken her away, she wouldn’t have died.”