His gesture of comfort was almost too much to bear. She realized now that he’d never intended to hurt her. It was her own fault for letting herself fall in love with him. He’d tried to warn her against forming a relationship with him right from the start. She’d been so determined to seduce him that she never considered how the affair might affect her after it ended. She was too foolish, too tempted by things that were never meant to be, things that weren’t hers to have, would never be hers.
And now Grandfather was gone.
She fell asleep on that despairing thought, desperate to escape the pain of the day. A part of her hoped she would never awake. But she did awake. In Jace’s arms.
She managed to ease from his embrace, turning toward him. He slept quietly, and she took the brief moment to study his face. The urge to touch him, to feel the slight shadow of stubble on his unshaven cheek overwhelmed her. As if sensing this, his eyes fluttered open.
“You’re awake,” he said, rubbing sleep from his tired eyes.
“I’ve much to do.” She crawled over him, scampering to her feet. “I’d better get downstairs.”
Jace left her to freshen up. After speaking briefly with Rhetta downstairs, Maddie proceeded to the parlor, where Jace sat, drinking coffee. He set down his cup as she entered.
“How can I help?” he asked, rising.
She shook her head. “You’ve done enough,” she said. “Grandfather wished to be buried in the family plot with my parents. He’d insisted that only Rhetta, Gil, and I attend his burial.”
Jace looked disappointed. “I can stay—”
“No, thank you,” she said. “Gil has gone for the casket.” She reached for the letter on the mantel. “Grandfather left this with Gil. It’s addressed to you.”
Jace took the letter. “What is it?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea,” she answered, honestly.
Jace tucked the letter into his coat pocket.
“Thank you, Jace. For last night.”
“Maddie—”
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “And I want you to know I’ve decided to leave Misty Lake.” She stared into his handsome face. Lifting her chin, she steeled herself against the lure of his striking blue eyes. “Now that Grandfather has passed, there’s nothing keeping me here.”
* * * *
Maddie carefully arranged the large bunch of daisies on Grandfather’s grave. After only five days, she missed him so much. Tears blurred her vision as she stared down at the grave, the scent of freshly turned earth filling her nose.
She gazed skyward, searching the expanse of crisp blue and the billowy clouds. There were so many questions and mysteries, and she felt helplessly small. She knew grandfather was out there, his spirit, his soul. She could feel him as plainly as the sun on her face and the breeze through her hair.
All around her, her family lay in eternal rest. The parents she’d barely known and now Grandfather. She would leave this place, but their love would follow her. A tear rolled down her cheek. Her history would follow her, too. The pain of losing her friends was a part of her now, and that ache would be with her always. But not all of the changes wrought by the accident were unwanted. Maddie knew she had gained in compassion and depth of character what she had lost in human companionship.
She also knew that, were it not for the accident, she would have married Daniel. Which meant that she might never have had the chance to fall truly in love. As badly as things had ended with Jace, she could not regret that.
She wiped at her eyes and stood. She had much to do and could tarry here no longer. Leaving Misty Lake was for the best. Whatever excuse Jace gave as to their broken engagement was unimportant. No one would care. They’d be happy just knowing they were finally rid of her.
She would go to Boston and start a new life for herself. With her inheritance from Grandfather, she had more than enough money to do it. She wouldn’t ever need to work if she didn’t wish to, but she thought she would attempt to find employment anyway. It might be a good way to find friends.
What she would not do was seek out Philip. He had sent a brief note expressing his condolences, and she knew he would welcome her with open arms with only the tiniest encouragement. But Maddie had no intention of using Philip to escape her misery. Somehow, she would muddle forward on her own.
* * * *
Jace paced his empty office. He’d tried to catch up on some work, but he couldn’t get Maddie from his mind. He strode to his desk, then reread the letter from Adam Sutter.
Watch after her, please. You’re all she has now.
He frowned. Now that her grandfather was gone, she was alone. Jace was confident she’d be left in peace to grieve. She was in mourning, and people would respect that. With any luck, she’d manage to leave town without being bothered.
He paced through the house. Reminders of Maddie were everywhere. Each room reflected the changes she’d made to make his simple office a home. The withered lilacs on the mantel, the potted fern by the door. She would make a fine wife.
The thought wrenched in his gut. His work—his patients—required a constant commitment. There was no room in his crammed world for anything more. No time to cultivate and sustain a marriage. Certainly no time for love.
But Maddie should not be forced from her home. His eyes fixed on the small wooden box she’d given him. The precious symbol of all she’d been through.
“The hell with this,” he muttered as he strode from the room. He shrugged on his coat, then charged out the door.
The miles to Maddie’s house passed quickly as the buggy rolled along. Somehow he’d become her protector, her friend, and he would not desert her now. When he arrived at the house, he was still uncertain what to do.
Rhetta led him to the parlor. Several minutes passed before Maddie finally appeared.
“Tea won’t be necessary, Rhetta,” Maddie said stiffly. “You may proceed with your plans in town.”
With an awkward nod, Rhetta left them alone.
“How are you?” he asked.
“I’m busy,” she said. “I’m in the midst of packing.”
“So, you’re really leaving?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Tell me you’re leaving of your own accord. Not at my urging. Not at theirs. Don’t allow others to chase you from your home.”
She looked him in the eye. “I’m not leaving for you. I’m not leaving for them either. I’m leaving for me.” She lifted her chin. “This house is my home. Outside its walls, I’m a stranger. A pariah. I’ll never be a part of things here. I’ll never be a member of the women’s quilting bee or church choir. Misty Lake will never again be my home,” she said. “It just took me a very long time to accept that.”
“Why did you visit the stable that night?”
She stiffened, turning to fidget with the folds in her skirt. “I brought an apple to the injured horse.”
He regarded her closely. He was not sure if he believed her, but she didn’t seem to care. He tried again.
“You were going to tell me something that night we were dancing on the veranda,” he ventured. “What was it?”
She shook her head. “It no longer matters.” She lifted her chin. “Why did you come back here, Jace?”
“I have something to say to you, and I want you to listen.” He pointed to the sofa. “Please sit.”
“I don’t have time—”
“Sit, Madeline.”
She rolled her eyes, plopping down across from him. “What is it?”
“I want you to stay.”
Her brows shot up in surprise. “First you want me to leave. Now you want me to stay?”
“You can stay and continue to work with me at the office.”
“As your employee?”
“As my wife.” The words stunned him as much as they did her.
Her mouth fell open. She stared, brows narrowing slowly as she eyed him suspiciously. “Just w
hat did that letter of Grandfather’s say?”
He took a deep breath. “He asked that I watch after you.”
She frowned. “I see.”
“I want to do that, Maddie. I’ll keep you safe. And we are a good team. A marriage between us makes perfect sense.”
Her face flushed crimson. “And things must always make sense,” she spat.
He sighed, feeling defeated.
“I can’t marry you. But thank you for asking. And for trying to honor Grandfather’s wishes.” She stood, smoothing out her skirts.
“Maddie—”
“I can’t.” She shook her head. “Good-bye, Jace.”
He nodded sadly as the hard truth reverberated in his ears. She would not be his. Not on his terms anyway. And so he had to let her go. “Take care of yourself,” he whispered.
“I intend to.”
Jace turned, forcing his feet to move toward the front door. He stepped out to the porch and came face to face with Matthew Webster.
Jace froze where he stood on the threshold. His surprise turned to anger during the course of one breath. A warning spiked in his veins. Pulling the door closed behind him, he took a step forward. The three words Matthew growled were more frightening than the gleaming pistol he drew from his vest.
“Send her out.”
Chapter 26
Jace raised his hands to hold Matthew at bay. “Take it easy, Matthew,” he said as calmly as he could manage. His heart pounded. “Just take it easy.”
“Send her out!” Matthew’s crazed eyes widened as he waved the gun in front of Jace. “Now!”
Jace should have predicted this. He should have paid heed to Amelia’s fear for Maddie’s safety. Clenching his fists, he took a deep breath, trying to gauge the depth of Matthew’s instability. “I don’t know what this is about, but I think you should put down the gun so we can talk it through.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. I intend to rid the world of that abomination—that murderer. Send her out!”
The rage underlying this senseless talk was terrifying. It was clear that Pastor Hogle’s prejudice had incited a disturbed man to violence. Now this madman was set on killing Maddie—the woman Jace loved.
That this revelation struck him now—at such an ill-timed moment—stunned Jace almost as much as the revelation itself.
Nevertheless, it fortified something inside him. He would protect Maddie, no matter the risk to himself. “Are you prepared to kill me first? Because that’s what you’ll have to do to get past me.”
Matthew frowned. “I’ll do whatever I have to. I have nothing to lose.” He took a step forward. “She cost me it all.”
Jace considered attempting to disarm Matthew, but the distance between them was still too great. His only recourse was to stall for time and inch closer.
“What has she cost you?”
“Everything!” The man’s voice cracked beneath the weight of his emotion. “She turned Dolly against me!” Tears welled in his eyes. “The pastor, too! I wanted revenge for what she did to Dolly’s face, but Pastor refused. He denounced me as some kind of lunatic.” Matthew shook his head in disgust. “That’s what he called me before he cast me from the church.” He swiped angrily at his eyes. “Now he won’t let me have Dolly!” His face turned to steel. “I intend to make that woman pay for ruining everything.”
The man was beyond reason. His eyes darted wildly.
Jace had seen men in the emergency ward in similar states. Men so removed from reality, so unhinged by their delusions, they posed a danger to others, even themselves. Most of those men were strung out on whiskey, opiates, or other mind-altering substances. This was different.
Matthew was deranged by hatred.
The door behind Jace opened.
“Jace?”
“Get back inside, Maddie!” he yelled over his shoulder.
“What’s—”
“Stay put!” Matthew ordered.
Jace heard Maddie’s loud gasp but resisted the urge to rush toward her. Any sudden movement might set Matthew off.
“Come out here.” Matthew motioned with the pistol for Maddie to step forward.
She edged stiffly to Jace’s side. He stepped in front of her, shielding her body with his.
“What do you want?” she called out.
“I want you gone.”
“Maddie, get inside,” Jace commanded through clenched teeth.
“Don’t move!” Stepping backward, Matthew retreated down the porch stairs, the gun aimed firmly at them. “Now come down off that porch.”
Jace didn’t move. His thoughts raced. Could he somehow get her safely inside without killing them both?
“Now!” Matthew jabbed the gun in the air.
Jace held Maddie at his back, guiding her down from the porch as directed. He glanced over Matthew’s shoulder to see Pastor Hogle riding up the drive. Whether Matthew’s former mentor would defuse or ignite the situation, Jace hadn’t a clue. But Jace was desperate for help, and for the first time, he was happy to see the man.
Matthew frowned as Pastor Hogle dismounted.
“This house is in mourning, Matthew. What are you doing here?” He rushed toward Matthew, slowing when he saw the gun. The pastor’s alarm reinforced the hopelessness of the situation. He was clearly as frightened and surprised as Jace and Maddie were.
Matthew puffed his chest proudly. “I’m doing what I’ve been called upon to do,” he replied. “What you haven’t the courage to do.”
“This is madness,” Hogle whispered, hands outstretched and trembling.
“She must be punished for what she did to Dolly.”
“Dolly is fine, Matthew. She—”
“But you won’t let me have her!” Matthew waved the gun toward Maddie. “All because of Madeline Sutter!”
“Matthew—”
“Dolly is mine! She was chosen for me. Her mark proves it.”
Pastor Hogle nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, we will work it all out.”
“Liar!”
“I will reconsider, Matthew. Just put down the gun and—”
“Shut up!” Matthew narrowed his eyes. “I’ve heard enough of your words. Enough of your sermons and lectures and lies. I devoted my whole life to you. I did all that you ever asked. But you betrayed me and spurned my devotion. As though it all meant nothing. You said she killed your daughter. You said she must go.”
“I meant to encourage her to leave town. Not to harm her.”
“She is leaving,” Jace shouted. “Her trunks are already packed.”
Pastor Hogle’s face brightened. “You see, Matthew. She’s going—”
“That’s no longer enough. She must be removed from the world.”
“You’re confused.” Pastor Hogle spoke calmly now. “You’re confused and not thinking clearly.”
“And you are a coward! You’re not fit to lead anyone.”
Pastor Hogle flinched. He stared, shaking his head sadly. “What has become of you?”
“I’ve become what you made me.” Matthew turned the gun to Pastor Hogle, his lips twisting with fury. “And you cast me away.” He cocked the trigger.
Pastor Hogle lunged at him, but it was too late. Maddie screamed as the gunshot rang out.
And Pastor Hogle fell, bleeding at Matthew’s feet.
* * * *
Maddie cowered in Jace’s arms. His tight grip on her slackened as he pushed her behind him. Matthew straightened, staring down at the man he’d just shot. “I didn’t plan to shoot him,” he cried. “I came to shoot her!” He aimed the gun at Jace, his hand unsteady. “Get out of the way, or I’ll kill you, too.”
“No!” Maddie pushed away from Jace, struggling to break free of his grasp. She would die before she let him hurt Jace. “He has nothing to do with this!”
“Maddie—”
Jace pulled her back, but she wrenched from his hold. “It’s me you want, not him. Do to
me as you will, but hurt no one else.”
“Matthew…” Pastor Hogle writhed on the ground, his hand extended in a desperate plea.
Matthew stared down at the man, his expression teetering between rage and despair. “You betrayed me, Pastor. You left me no choice.”
Something in Matthew’s face changed as he tilted his head. Tears streamed down his face. All at once he looked so young. Hopeless. Afraid.
Maddie’s fear mixed with pity. Her heart froze solid in her chest.
Matthew took a small step toward Hogle, standing over the dying man, considering him in mute anguish. Then, in one swift move, Matthew raised the gun to his own temple. “This is for you, Pastor,” he said before pulling the trigger.
Maddie screamed into her palms as Matthew dropped to the ground.
Jace cradled her in his arms, and they both sank to their knees. Maddie sobbed into his shoulder, shaking uncontrollably.
“It’s all right,” he soothed, although he was trembling, too.
He rose slowly, lifting her to her feet. “Go inside.” He urged her toward the house.
She glanced back to the horrifying sight of the two bodies sprawled on the ground. Heeding Jace’s directive, she stumbled up the stairs to the door. She grasped the doorknob for support, turning back to Jace.
Knowing Matthew was dead and nothing could be done, Jace rushed to Pastor Hogle. Gil appeared suddenly, running from around the side of the house.
“I heard shots…” he began and then he stopped, stunned, gaping at the bloodied bodies on the ground.
“Help me get him inside,” Jace said. He spotted Maddie still at the door. “Maddie, can you get my bag from the buggy?”
She nodded, summoning her wits. She ran past them to Jace’s buggy, then followed as Jace and Gil carried the unconscious man to Grandfather’s room. They placed him on the bed.
Jace worked furiously to unbutton the pastor’s coat.
“It’s a belly wound,” Gil mumbled, shaking his head.
Jace rummaged through his bag. “I need clean linens,” he said. “And some whiskey.”
Gil nodded. “Rhetta went into town. I’ll get them.” He tore off for the supplies as Jace filled a syringe.
The Lady Who Lived Again Page 23
