Second Chance Reunion

by Merrillee Whren

  “I love your kids.” And you, too. He wasn’t ready to tell Annie that even though it was evident he still did.

  “Then how do we go about this?”

  “We’ve already started—dominoes, bridge, visiting churches, even working on the finances together. But maybe we should go on a real date—just the two of us.”

  Annie smiled. “I’d like that.”

  “I’m pretty sure my parents will babysit. They’re pushing for our reconciliation.”

  Annie grimaced. “Is that a good idea? If things don’t work out, won’t they be disappointed? I’d rather we keep this to ourselves.”

  “You might be right. I’ll leave the babysitter up to you.” So Annie wasn’t sure about her feelings—the same as he was. They had to figure this out together. One day at a time. That’s how he had to view this attempt to rebuild their relationship. She was willing to go out on a date. That had to be enough for now.

  “I can trade with one of my neighbors.”

  “Okay.” Ian tried not to let Annie’s cautious view of their plans change his perspective. “When do you want to go on this date?”

  “I’ll let you know what day works for getting a babysitter.”

  “What would you like to do?”

  Annie gave him an impish smile. “Surprise me.”

  “I can do that.” Ian walked to the door. “Let me know about the day.”

  Annie nodded. “I’ll call as soon as I find out.”

  Ian grabbed hold of the doorknob to keep himself from kissing Annie. That could wait until their date. “Good night.”

  As he drove home, he replayed their discussion in his mind. Did he want to marry Annie again? Put his heart on the line? Take responsibility for her children? Part of him wanted that very thing, but part of him worried that their reunion was unwise—a recipe for ruin again. But wouldn’t they have God in the mix this time? That was a recipe for something good. He could only hope.

  Chapter Twelve

  The following Friday afternoon, Annie studied the monthly financial report and compared it with the report from the same month in the previous year. Expenses were down. The whole financial situation looked better at The Village, but the red ink still hadn’t disappeared. Melody was preparing the latest newsletter while Adam made phone calls to churches to set up more mission talks.

  Ian sat nearby, his head down, as he put together the report for the board of directors. She forced herself not to look his way. If she did, her mind would take her on a wishful journey of love, marriage and happily ever after.

  For the past week, she’d tried to keep everything low-key with Ian, but their date tomorrow night was never far from her mind. Putting too much stock in their date could lead to disappointment. She didn’t want to build up her hopes. In recent weeks, Ian had spent most of his days in court or working with clients and their cases, so he wasn’t around much while Annie was working on the finances. Even their interaction today had been minimal as they worked on their own projects.

  Annie hadn’t said anything to anyone about their date. Even when she’d asked her neighbor to babysit, she only said she was going out. Fear that the budding reconciliation would fail kept her from mentioning it to anyone. She didn’t know whether Ian had told anyone. She guessed he hadn’t because the subject never came up in conversation.

  When five o’clock arrived, Annie shut down her workstation and gathered her belongings. She went over to Ian and waved to Melody, who was leaving.

  He glanced up and smiled as she approached. “Good news?”

  “Not bad, but I have so many ideas that we still need to put in place. Do you think the board will see the progress and give us more time?”

  Ian leaned over and pulled up a chair beside him. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

  Annie glanced at the clock. “A few. I have to pick up the kids. The day care workers don’t mind going a little over, but not too much.”

  “Okay. I’ll make it quick.” Ian pointed to the file he had up on his computer screen. “See what I’m showing?”

  Annie studied the graphs. The upward trend lines made her smile. “That’s what I’ve got in mine, too. I sent you the file before I shut down the computer. Did you get it?”

  Ian found the file Annie had sent him and opened it. “This is all good. I’m not sure we can persuade Bob Franklin with this report, but I believe it will be enough to show the majority of the board that we’re on the right track. Thanks for doing such a good job.”

  Ian’s praise made Annie’s heart skitter. “I hope I get to do a lot more.”

  “Everything still good for tomorrow?”

  Smiling, Annie nodded. “We’re all set.”

  “I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to stay and work some more.”

  “Okay.” Annie rushed away.

  When she was halfway across the quad, she realized in her hurry she had left her bag by Ian’s computer station. She raced back to the administration building. As she approached the office door, she heard Ian say her name. Why was he talking about her?

  “What will happen when she finds out? Should I tell her and hope for the best?” Ian’s question made Annie’s heart jump into her throat as she hesitated in the hallway. What was he talking about?

  “Pray about it.” Adam’s answer floated into the hallway. “But my first instinct is that you should tell her before she finds out from someone else you were the one to report her to DFCS.”

  Annie stifled a gasp. Why had he done this to her? A light-headed sensation coming over her, she leaned against the wall. No wonder he hadn’t wanted to represent her. With all kinds of thoughts whirling in her mind, she couldn’t think straight. Should she get her bag and confront him? Maybe it would be better that way.

  Ian had been all rah, rah, rah about how well she was doing—how happy he was that she and her kids were together and that they should see whether they could repair their broken relationship, but he hadn’t been honest with her. The betrayal stung.

  Her heart thudding, Annie took a deep breath and marched into the office. “You don’t have to worry about telling me. I heard everything.”

  Holding up his hands, Adam backed away. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

  Ian stepped closer. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

  “I’m sure you are.” Dodging Ian’s attempt to reach out to her, Annie picked up her bag and held it as if it could shield her from the hurt. “Why?”

  “You took money from me and used it to buy drugs rather than food for your kids. You stole from me.” Ian crossed his arms at his waist. “I did it for the kids, but I admit my anger played a part. I won’t sugarcoat it. I wanted you to hurt as much as I hurt.”

  Annie glared at him. “Well, you got your wish. I hurt plenty. I missed a whole year of my kids’ lives. Are you happy about that?”

  “No. I’m sad that it had to be.”

  “Well, you don’t have to worry about any date tomorrow or any other time.” Annie turned and raced from the room.

  “Annie, wait.”

  Annie didn’t stop. She raced across the quad. She didn’t want to listen to Ian’s apologies or excuses or judgments. She wanted to hug her kids and pretend that Ian Montgomery didn’t exist.

  * * *

  After dropping off her kids at day care, Annie traipsed across the quad to go to work on the finances. The days since she’d learned of Ian’s part in having her children taken away had held unhappiness and doubts. Her depressing mood had even triggered passing thoughts of getting high—just so she could have that sense of euphoria again. But the sweet faces of her children saved her every time.

  Besides, if she gave in to the temptation, she would prove Ian right—that she couldn’t stay clean and sober. She would stay strong. She would win—o
ne day at a time. She let the mantra roll through her mind.

  As she entered the administration building, Melody stepped out of her office. “Annie, just the person I want to see.”

  “About what?”

  “Come in and we’ll talk.”

  “Sure.” Annie didn’t have a good feeling as she followed Melody and sat in the chair next to her desk.

  Melody eyed Annie. “What’s the trouble between you and Ian?”

  “Besides that fact we’re divorced?”

  “Old news.” Melody shook her head. “I’m talking about your request not to visit churches with him and the way you two are avoiding each other. You were getting along so well, and suddenly you’re not. I’m concerned.”

  Annie wondered what to say. Should she tell Melody what Ian had done? Should she mention the encounter with Jesse? Annie didn’t want to talk about any of it. “Thanks for your concern, but this is something Ian and I have to work out on our own.”

  Melody leaned forward. “I suppose you think I’m butting in where I don’t belong, but I see how sad this has made you. I wanted to be sure your sobriety wasn’t in jeopardy.”

  Annie shouldn’t be afraid to talk to Melody, but she couldn’t bring herself to open up. “I’ll remember that.”

  “Good.” Melody sighed. “Just one more thing. I believe Ian still loves you and your kids. He’s never found someone else. You and Ian belong together.”

  Annie twisted her hands in her lap as she struggled to believe Melody’s statement. It was wishful thinking. She’d alienated Ian again with her unforgiving words, and although the separation from her children for a year lay squarely on her, Ian’s part in it hurt—hurt deeply. “I don’t see that happening.”

  “Pray about it. I will.” Melody touched Annie’s arm. “Would you like to do that now?”

  Annie nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She prayed silently along with Melody as she asked for wisdom and strength for Annie. The prayer brought peace to Annie’s heart.

  When Melody’s prayer ended, Annie looked up. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime. I’m here to help. Just ask.”

  “There’s one favor I’d like to ask of you.”

  Melody nodded. “Anything.”

  “It’s been several weeks since my failed attempt to talk to my parents. During that meeting my mom never said anything while my dad bellowed at me.” Annie shrugged. “I got the feeling my mom wanted to talk to me. I thought I could see it in her eyes, but I wasn’t sure.”

  “So what are you saying?” Melody knit her eyebrows.

  “I haven’t been able to get her expression out of my mind. Then today Kara brought home a notice about grandparent’s day at day care in a couple of weeks. She wanted to know why she didn’t have grandparents.” Annie swallowed hard. “It broke my heart. I think I should try to talk to my mother—alone.”

  “What do you plan to do?”

  “My mom often works at home. I thought I’d try to see her tomorrow after work because if everything remains as it was, my dad has his regular guy’s night out. Without him there maybe she’d give me a chance to show her these.” Annie reached for her purse and extracted an envelope. “Doreen gave me the photos she took on Mother’s Day.”

  Melody shuffled through them, then looked up at Annie. “What grandmother could resist these children?”

  Annie smiled, her eyes a little misty. “That’s what I thought, too.”

  “So what’s the favor?”

  “Could you pick up the kids from day care and watch them until I get home?”

  “Absolutely.” Melody hugged Annie. “I’ll be praying for you the whole time.”

  * * *

  The sun sat just above the tree line in the western sky and made for difficult driving as Annie went to her parents’ house. Even the visor in Cora’s old car didn’t help to obscure the sun’s brightness. Tension eased from Annie’s shoulders as she turned into the neighborhood where her parents lived. She gripped the steering wheel and said a prayer as she parked in front of her parents’ house.

  She sat in the car for a few moments and gathered her thoughts. She reviewed what she planned to say when her mother answered the door. Could she get her mother to let her inside again? Annie said a prayer as she got out of the vehicle.

  As she shut the door, a hand clamped over her mouth, an arm went around her upper chest and something hard pressed against her back. A streak of fear shivered down her spine. Her heart thundered in her ears. She froze.

  “That’s right. Don’t move. Don’t make a sound, and everything’ll be okay.” Jesse’s harsh voice sounded in her ear.

  The smell of alcohol and the stench of his unbathed body nearly gagged her, but she forced the reflex back. She’d been so focused on what she was going to do and say that she hadn’t seen him. But she would never have thought to check her surroundings in her parents’ quiet neighborhood. And how would Jesse know she would be there?

  “I’ve got a gun and if you want to see your kids again, you do exactly as I say.” Jesse slid the gun down her back until it rested just below her rib cage. “Now we’re going to walk nice and slow up to the door. You may not have any money, but your parents are loaded.”

  Annie let him lead her up the front walk and onto the porch. She had brought trouble to her parents’ door. Now they would never forgive her.

  With the gun still pointed at her, Jesse stepped aside so anyone answering the door wouldn’t see him. “Do what I say, and I won’t hurt you.”

  Annie nodded, her legs trembling.

  “Ring the bell, and don’t say a thing.” Jesse motioned with the gun.

  Hoping that her mother wasn’t home, Annie pressed the bell. The chime sounded through the door and a moment later her mother appeared.

  Before Annie could do anything, Jesse grabbed her and pushed her inside. Her mother screamed as Jesse waved the gun at both of them. “Shut up, get in the living room and sit on the couch.”

  Annie held back her tears as she looked at her mom. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Zip it, you...”

  Annie cringed at Jesse’s expletives and grabbed her mom’s hand. She squeezed it tight. Annie couldn’t think straight. Her wonderful plan was in ruins. Would Jesse let them go when he got what he wanted, or would he shoot them with that gun? Annie wanted to believe he wasn’t capable of such a thing, but he was high on something. There was no telling what he might do.

  He pulled a rope out of his pocket and tossed it at Annie. “Tie your mother’s hands behind her back.”

  Annie did as Jesse instructed and hoped following his directions would win them a reprieve. After she’d tied her mother’s hands, he waved the gun for her to sit down. He pulled out another piece of rope, but before he could tie Annie’s hands, her father came in the front door. Jesse turned and fired the gun. The bullet slammed into the door frame. Her father ducked. Annie and her mother screamed.

  “Down on the floor.” Jesse waved the gun wildly.

  Annie went facedown on the floor and her father did the same while her mother sat ashen faced on the couch. As Annie lay there, she remembered the cell phone in her pocket. If she could hit the right button, she could call someone on speed dial. Maybe they would be able to tell she was in trouble. While Jesse tied up her father with the rope he’d first intended for her, Annie surreptitiously felt for her phone. She flipped it open, punched a button and prayed that Jesse wouldn’t discover it before someone on the other end figured out what was happening.

  * * *

  The sounds of jovial conversation and the clatter of dishes greeted Ian as he surveyed the restaurant. He spied his dad joking with one of the waitresses as she placed two menus on the table. He and his dad hadn’t met for their usual Friday lunch in nearly six weeks. Even this meeting they’d postp
oned until after work. The last time they’d met was right before Mother’s Day.

  Ian slipped into the booth. “Finally made it. Sorry I was late. I’ve been working on my part of the financial report for the board.”

  “Glad you could make it tonight since your mother has that ladies’ program.” His dad glanced at the menu, then put it aside. “How’s your finance thing going?”

  “The report is nearly done, but I’m not sure it’ll satisfy the board. The financial situation is much better, but I don’t see us being in the black until the end of the year after some of our adjustments are in place for a few months.”

  “Won’t the board realize that when you present the report?”

  Ian shrugged. “I would hope so, but Bob Franklin is a stickler for results—results he can see now.”

  “Maybe we need to pray that the Lord will soften Bob’s heart and give him a vision for the future of this ministry.”

  “I wish I had your faith, Dad.” Ian sighed.

  “And I wish I had your heart for the underprivileged. You’ve helped me realize that even if only one person has a closer walk with God then it’s worth every penny spent on that transformation. People are more important than money. I know the Lord has worked on my heart. The change I’ve seen in Annie has convinced me your ministry is one that needs to continue.”

  Ian nodded, not wanting to talk about Annie. He feared his dad would bring up the question he’d tried to ask during Annie’s testimony at church.

  “What’s going on with you and Annie?”

  Ian wasn’t sure he knew how to answer that question. He let out a harsh breath. “She found out I was the one who turned her in to DFCS.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “I never told anyone, except the person at DFCS, but I was afraid for those children.”

  Jordan nodded. “You don’t have to defend your actions.”

  “I wish Annie felt that way.”

  The waitress returned to take their order and gave Ian a respite from his dad’s inquisition. After she left, his dad gave him a speculative look. “It’s no secret your mother and I think it would be wonderful if you two got back together.”