Tempest Torn

by Nicole Andrews Moore

  Soon, he was going through the justification phase. Why was he pushing her away? Marti wasn’t even divorced. They weren’t engaged or anything. They hadn’t even known each other for very long.

  His mind was reeling, playing back all the ways the night could have gone, should have gone and simply didn’t. Why wouldn’t Keely just let him stay at Hope House? Frowning, he knew the answer. She was punishing him for hurting Marti. At this realization, considering the pain he had inflicted on her sweet soul, his chest constricted. There had to be a way to fix it. Only at the moment nothing came to mind. It was all too new, too fresh to just talk to Marti, to confront her, to even face her. In a few days...maybe. In the meantime, he had to pry himself from Finn’s grasp without screwing himself on the insurance claim. She really was that vindictive and heartless. He really was that poor and desperate. For now, he would have to convince himself Marti would understand. A good woman, the right woman, always understood.

  With this decided, he hauled himself from the bed and headed to the shower. For some reason, he felt extra dirty this morning.

  ***

 

  By the time they finished discussing, Marti decided she needed input from her new best friends. It was a safe bet Laurel and Keely could both be found at the cafe. Walking out the kitchen door, she locked it behind her and scowled. She still had to do something about this stupid minivan and her car accident. Somehow she was not looking forward to the phone call later in the day. She planned to prolong the inevitable as long as possible.

  Just as she expected, Laurel and Keely were sitting at a table as she pulled up and parked in front. It was comforting to see them laughing and smiling through the big plate glass window. Slowly, after glancing about conspicuously to ensure she was avoiding Joey, she exited her vehicle and walked nervously inside.

  From their seats, Keely saw her first, since Laurel’s back was to the door. “Get over here, girl!” she called happily.

  When Laurel turned and saw her, she added, “Have you eaten? I made this corn chowder today that I bet you’d love!” Before Marti could respond, Laurel was standing and walking over to her. “Never mind. I know just what to make you. Sit down. I’ll be right out.”

  They were a bossy well-meaning bunch. Already, Marti was counting her blessings to have them in her life. Pulling up a chair at the end of their table, she had just settled in when a basket of warm corn muffins and a soufflé cup of whipped butter appeared. By the time she had split one and buttered it, a large soup bowl had been set before her. As unsettled as her stomach was, this meal seemed perfect. Finally, Laurel rejoined them carrying a plate of cupcakes.

  “What’s this?” Marti asked, eyes bulging at the selection before her. There were three cupcakes she had never seen before just waiting for her attention.

  Pointing to one topped with some kind of chocolate frosting and miniature marshmallows, Laurel said, “I’m trying some new flavors. This one is hot chocolate.”

  At that, Marti and Keely ‘ahed’ appreciatively. Keely even started to reach for that one. “If you don’t mind,” she began, but before she managed to clasp her hand around the cupcake, Laurel slapped her hand away.

  “Back off!” She growled. “I’m going to cut each of these in half so you can both try all of them!” Then she began mumbling under her breath. “Can’t even let me finish explaining before getting all grabby with dessert…” Pointing to the one piled high with a light colored frosting, she added, “This one is gingerbread spice with egg nog frosting.”

  Clapping a hand over her mouth, Marti exclaimed, “Egg nog is my downfall. You must love me fat and sassy.”

  “Honestly,” Laurel complained, “if you’re fat, then I’m a beached whale.” She jabbed Marti in the shoulder and revealed the last cupcake. “This one…” She paused a moment for dramatic effect. “I think this is the one I am most proud of.” She started to speak, but once more, Keely interrupted.

  Leaning forward, Keely asked, “Oh my gawd! Are those little pancakes? Is that bacon?” She squealed in delight.

  “You do realize you are completely ruining this moment for me, right?” Laurel asked wryly.

  Keely tried to make a face to show how contrite she felt, but fell so very short. Instead, her eyes were twinkling and it was evident she was holding back laughter. “So, you gonna tell us, or what?”

  With a long loud sigh, Laurel announced, “And this one is maple bacon. Those are teeny tiny buttermilk pancakes. You happy now?” Using the knife in her right hand, she sliced each cupcake in half and said, “Have at it.” Then she walked back into the kitchen.

  “Thank you!” Marti called after her. Then, looking at Keely, she said, “You love torturing her, don’t you? And I thought you two were friends!”

  Erupting in laughter, Keely grabbed a half of the hot chocolate cupcake and said, “We are! This is just us...being real.” Winking at Marti, she took a huge bite before leaning back in her chair while a moan escaped her lips.

  Eating in relaxed silence for a few minutes, Marti savored her chowder while nibbling on the corn muffins. She was busy eyeing the cupcakes and was just reaching for her first when Laurel returned and plunked down in her seat. Lost in thought, she didn’t speak until she had no choice.

  After studying her, Keely asked, “So, Marti, what’s on your mind?”

  Suddenly, the otherwise moist corn muffin turned to wood pulp in her mouth. After some struggle and with the help of some of Laurel’s super sweet tea, she managed to swallow and finally respond. “Well, Deborah came to visit me this morning.” She paused a moment since she had already grown accustomed to their interruptions in every conversation. When none came, she added, “She wants me to consider finishing the upstairs and renting out rooms.”

  Nodding, Keely was the first to respond. “I think that’s a great idea. It would give you some money.”

  Tilting her head, Marti studied her. Though she hadn’t known Keely for long, she didn’t believe her to be someone who could hide her emotions. “My first thought was that I didn’t want to step on your toes, but if you are okay with it, I need some income while I wait for my divorce settlement and while I try to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.” Shaking her head, Marti reached for the Maple Bacon cupcake and took a healthy bite. “Oh my word, Laurel,” she managed while covering her mouth and still chewing, “this is amazing.”

  Shrugging, Keely said honestly, “We wouldn’t be in competition. I’m a bed and breakfast, meant for short stays. You would be offering a more long term solution.” Reaching out, she patted Marti’s hand. “Don’t worry. You aren’t stepping on my toes.”

  Her shoulders fell in relief and she exhaled a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. “New year, new life, right?” Marti asked with a hollow laugh.

  “Yes, we’re all trying new things,” Laurel acknowledged. “I’m making cupcakes, you’re making a life.” She glanced about before asking, “And just what is Joey up to?”

  “Making mistakes,” Keely announced before Marti could respond. “Now eat a cupcake and let’s not talk about him.” She pushed the plate over toward Laurel.

  “But these are for Marti,” she argued.

  Shaking her head, Marti swallowed hard. “It’s fine. I’m not hungry anymore.” Before she even had a moment to try to change the awkward silence, her cell phone began to ring. Thrilled with the distraction, she said, “I’m sorry. I have to take this.” Throwing a ten-dollar bill on the table, she rushed from the restaurant, answering the phone at the last moment. “Hello,” she said, slightly out of breath as she slid into the minivan.

  “Marti?” Deborah began tentatively, “It just so happens that the lawyer I told you about is in town. Any chance that you made a decision?”

  “Actually, I have,” Marti announced. “I’ll do it.”

  The problem with making the decision was that it wasn’t entirely up to her. Sure, she was willing to let this stranger live with her. It didn’t mea
n she was ready...her or the house. Not so long ago she was hoping to share this place with Joey, but instead, he had chosen to go stay with Finn. With him around, she might not have let anyone else live in the house. They would have had privacy. It would have been like having her own family for the first time ever. Her desperate need for a family and companionship was the reason she had ended up married to Blaine. Never again would she make that kind of mistake. She needed consistency in her life. It wasn’t something she could ever rely on anyone else for again. Nope. It was all on her.

  More than anything, Marti needed to find herself. Chuckling, she considered how often she had heard that and similar phrases in Vermont. In her past life, her choices had never been about her, about what she wanted to do, about the future she envisioned. Always her life had been about supporting Blaine and his practice. She had been the perfect doctor’s wife in every sense. Fulfilling those duties had been her compass, her sole purpose. Without that, without Blaine to care for and make happy, she simply didn’t know what to do with herself. Joey had helped for a time, but it was easy for her to see how she could have simply and seamlessly done the same thing with him, made his life easier and incredibly comfortable without ever living her life at all.

  Saddened by this revelation, she decided to brainstorm what she liked to do. It should have been easy. By her age, she should know what she liked. Only really, she didn’t. Even more than a hobby, she needed a job. Though her life was better in New Hope, her current outlook was frightening. For the first time since she graduated from college, she was completely on her own. It was hard to be hopeful when all she could think about was survival. One thought was in the forefront of her mind. More than anything, she never wanted to be dependent upon anyone again. The more self-sufficient she could be, the better.

  Walking around the yard, she noted how dead everything looked outside. Funny, because she felt dead inside. Maybe if she could work on the yard, she could use all the mindless time to figure out what to do with herself. If Joey’s guys started working on the interior, she’d much rather be outside anyway. Pulling out her phone, she checked her bank account. Hmm. It wasn’t as scary as she imagined. Really, she had much more than most. Now it was time to give herself a little break, take a little time to get her head right and spend some of that money for her mental health.

  After locking up the house, she grabbed her purse and keys and headed toward the damn minivan. She wasn’t simply a dreamer, she was a doer. It was time to do something to make herself happy. With a smile pasted on her face, and after carefully checking the road several times before pulling out of the driveway, she headed toward the center of town to check out Hank’s Hardware. There was no reason to drive all the way to Fort Mill if she could find what she needed in town.

  The insistent ringing of her phone interrupted her thoughts as she drove toward the square. Instead of her normally pleasant greeting, she answered the phone, “Gah!”

  “Well, hello to you, too,” Keely chuckled.

  “Sorry. I swear my next vehicle is going to have hands free. So, how are you?” Marti asked, as the stress slowly melted away and the distance from her house grew and the likelihood of running into Joey decreased.

  “Better than you,” she noted. “I was just calling to check on you since you left so abruptly. Was it Laurel bringing up Joey?” Her voice sounded so sympathetic.

  Swallowing hard, Marti admitted, “A little.” Sighing, she admitted. “Okay. A lot.” Swallowing her pride, she continued. “I made a huge mistake with him. Apparently, I thought he was something he wasn’t, which made me want things that I shouldn’t. Now, I know better.” Marti tried to shrug it off.

  “Oh, don’t beat yourself up too much. We all wanted Joey to be better, even Joey. He just can’t do it yet. I think Finn is his unfinished business. He needs to see a relationship will never work with her, but that’s on him, not you. Just let him make his mistakes and don’t pay him any attention. Then when he’s ready to throw himself at your feet, you decide if you want to walk over him or walk into him. Okay?” Keely asked in her serious singsong voice.

  “Yeah. I wish it were that simple. How could I let him get to me so quickly?” she wondered. “I thought I was so much better than that. Smarter.”

  “We all think that. The truth is that he filled a need. You are stronger now,” her friend laughed. “This is your time. Use it.”

  “I’m trying,” Marti said. “I’m headed to get some gardening supplies.”

  “It’s a little early for gardening, even in the south,” Keely warned. “You be sure to talk to someone before you waste your money.”

  “Huh. I didn’t think,” Marti admitted.

  “You go have fun. We’ll talk later. You should stop by for dinner, just the two of us,” she offered.

  Marti considered it. “I’ll talk to you later.” With that, they ended the call.

  As she parked across from the hardware store, Marti wondered what she could do to brighten up her back yard, make it feel more like the home she envisioned. Once she parked, she had an idea. She had really enjoyed spending those evenings outside, enjoying the fire with Joey. Just because she didn’t have him in her life, it didn’t mean she couldn’t relax with her own firepot. That would make my heart happy, she thought as she walked through the cluttered store.

  February in the south was so much more like spring in Vermont, save for the darkness. This could be why she was completely drawn to the patio furniture, planters, and fire pits. It was time to make the place feel like her own. Right now, even though it was bought and paid for, she felt it was more Joey’s than hers. After all, he was the one who had finished and decorated it while she was in Vermont moving everything. Yes, he was definitely too much a part of her house.

  Marti was glad to have some time and space all to herself, even if there was the looming fear Joey could show up. Still, at the moment, he seemed just as eager to avoid her as she was him. With her rental vehicle parked prominently in front, the chance of him venturing inside seemed slim. With this new confidence, she made her way to the garden center area. This time of year, there were few choices for flowers. It was just as well. At the moment, she probably needed to be more practical. This was the ideal time of year to start indoors the vegetable gardens she had always wanted, plant the herbs she used most, and start planning her backyard.

  “Can I help you or something?” a voice asked while she was pushing a cart and dragging a grill behind her.

  Turning around with a sigh, Marti saw an older man clad in flannel with a decidedly care worn face staring at her. “Yes,” she managed, slightly out of breath. “I haven’t seen a single person who works here and I’m struggling to the register.”

  His face colored slightly. “I’m it,” he admitted.

  Releasing the grill, Marti thrust her hand out to shake. “I’m Marti. And you are?”

  Looking incredibly uncomfortable, he muttered, “Hank.”

  “Nice to meet you, Hank. I expect we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.” She offered her best smile.

  “Oh goody,” he mumbled flatly.

  Somewhat surprised, Marti didn’t know how to respond. Then a friendly arm was flung over her shoulders. Thankfully, it belonged to Laurel.

  “You be nice, Hank, or I’ll cut you off. No more brownies for you. And you can forget about your special deal on coffee refills too,” Laurel warned. Then she looked at Marti. “Don’t mind him, sweetie. He was born cranky and never outgrew it.”

  With Laurel’s help, she soon checked out. With Hank’s the damn grill was loaded. By the time she left, she had purchased some blueberry bushes, a variety of seed packets, pellet seed starter kits, and in lieu of a fire pit, she decided a propane grill was more practical. A fire would only make her think of Joey. Lord knew she was doing that enough anyway, she didn’t need any triggers lying around the place.

  Before she could consider how she was going to unload everything, a handsome man who looked to be in his thir
ties approached her vehicle. At first she was apprehensive, but then she remembered her conversation with Deborah. This must be the lawyer. Pasting a smile on her face, and swallowing the sigh that longed to escape, she stepped out of the van to greet him.

 

  Holding out her hand, Marti waited for the first handshake. It was an important moment. Though normally just a standard greeting, this time, it seemed more meaningful since she was probably going to be living with the man. At the moment, she didn’t have any better options. While she stifled a sigh, a memory flashed. It was of the first time she touched Joey, the day they met. She remembered how even then he had felt like home. Suddenly, her hand began to shake.