by D. M. Webb
Jeremy snorted. “Oh, I doubt it. She’s a spitfire.”
“That she is.” David stood and looked at the island. The wind picked up and cooled his hot skin.
Maggie sat at a stone picnic table with Darlene and Sarah. She threw her head back and laughed at something. A faint trickle of her soft laughter reached him. He took a deep breath.
This was so perfect. Seeing her with his family. He looked at Jeremy. “Can I ask you something?”
Jeremy nodded. “Anything, but I prefer it under the canopy. Whether you like to burn or not, I, on the other hand, definitely have an aversion to it.”
David chuckled and followed his brother. He perched on the top of the seat in the corner. His gaze traveled over the water. Another barge across the river slowly floated past.
“Well?”
“It’s about Maggie.” David dropped his gaze to his clasped hands. “And about me.”
He blew out a breath. It was hard, trying to talk to his brother again. But he missed him. Missed the conversations and the talks.
David cleared his throat. “I wanted to know what you thought about me asking Maggie to marry me.”
Jeremy grinned. “You should know the answer to that.”
David shrugged. “I wanted to hear it from you. I mean, I’m a recovering alcoholic. Maggie is gaining custody of Poppy. I don’t want to jeopardize that.”
Jeremy moved to sit on the top of the seat beside him. “I think it’s a great idea. It’s obvious you love her. And we all know she loves you. As for how it will affect Poppy . . .” Jeremy looked at him, studying him. “You are wonderful for the girl. And she has helped you in more ways than one, David.”
David looked away. A lump formed in his throat. “Yeah. She has.”
“I know you love that little girl. So do we.” Jeremy spoke softly. “You never told me everything, David.”
The change in topic threw him off balance. He jerked his gaze back to Jeremy.
Now it was Jeremy’s turn to look away. “I know things will never be like they were before. But I think we can make it work. Think you will ever learn to trust me again?”
David shrugged. “I want to. I’m not ready to tell you . . .” He pressed his lips together.
“Not ready to tell me that one last thing?”
“Yeah.”
Jeremy nodded and stood. David reached out and stopped him with a hand on Jeremy’s arm. “Wait. There is one thing I need to tell you.”
Jeremy’s cool gray eyes met his. “Go on.”
“I’m sorry. I blamed you for so many things. I had forgiven you for all the harsh things that were said before I left. Do you think–can you forgive me in return?”
David frowned. Where did that come from? He was only going to say he was sorry. But a part of him, the anger, the frustration, the rage, floated away as it rode the wake of his words. Another taste of freedom.
Jeremy clapped his hand on David’s shoulder. “Did that long ago, little brother.” He smiled. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
David smiled. When did their roles change over? It used to be him who ran from the emotional scenes. He hopped off the boat and splashed down into the shallow water as Poppy came running to him.
“Look! I got all kinds of trumpet shells. See?” Her eyes sparkled as she held out her handful of the small, spiral mussel shells.
David ruffled her hair. “Those are beautiful, little flower. Come on. Let’s go show Maggie.”
He put his arm over her shoulders as they stepped across the shale-coated bank. David met Jeremy’s eyes and smiled. His brother was right. He and Poppy did wonders for each other.
: : : : :
Maggie gasped as the Jet Ski banked sharply. They were so close to the water, she could have reached out and scooped up a handful. The Jet Ski broke the tranquility of the cove, rippling its dark, gray water.
David cut the motor. Silence descended. Only the lapping of the waves against the thick weed-covered banks kept them company. She gazed over his shoulder. The corner of the cove hid most of the lake, muffling the sounds of boats and people.
“It’s beautiful here. So calm.”
David nodded. “Think you can slide on around here in front? I’ll let you ride us back.”
“Really?” Maggie let go of his vest. His hands grabbed her leg, helping her slide around him. She giggled as she settled into the seat. “I’m backwards. I don’t think I can drive like this.”
He stopped her with a hand on her waist as she tried to turn around. “Hold up. I’ll help you, but stay like this for a moment.”
She arched her brow at him. “You planning some monkey business?”
He grinned as his ears turned pink. “I promised you weeks ago that I wouldn’t force the issue with you.”
Maggie resettled in the seat. The hair on his legs tickled hers as she dangling her legs back over his. “Okay then. What’s up? Oh, I know what you want.”
“Yeah? What’s that?” He leaned closer.
“You want to take this opportunity for smooching.” She sidled closer to him and wrapped her arms about his neck. “We haven’t had a chance at all today.”
His eyes darkened as he looked at her. White teeth peeked from between his parted lips. “That’s true.”
His mouth closed around hers. Maggie melted into him. He still tasted of cherry cola that he drank earlier at lunch. She broke away and gasped. “You kiss way too good for my health, Mr. David Boyette.”
He smiled. “Same goes for you, Miss Maggie Goddard.” His hand smoothed back her wet hair. “Can I ask you something?”
She captured his hand and kissed his fingertips. He bit at the inside of his lip as he waited for her answer. Way too handsome for her peace of mind. “Anything.”
“It’s really important. I mean, extremely.”
Now what? She doubted she could handle another emergency. Finally a calm, stress-free time in life, and she didn’t want it to cave in on her.
She took a deep breath. “Okay?”
He fiddled with his pocket. The sound of Velcro separating pierced the still air. “I found something not too long ago, and I really wanted your opinion on it.”
“Oh, is that all?” She fanned her face. He was such a silly goose. “I thought to myself, ‘oh, boy, now what emergency is rising?’”
David laughed. He opened a small, hinged box and presented it to her. Her breath caught. The pink opal sparkled against the silver filigree band. Oh, the sneaky devil.
“Maggie, marry me, please.”
She clapped her hand over her heart in a vain effort to calm its erratic beat. Thoughts flew out of her head. Her mind grasped futilely to gain at least some idea, anything to be able to talk.
A worried expression crossed his face. “Maggie?”
Her mouth opened, and she squeaked. She pressed her fingers to her lips as a tear rolled down her face. Well, if she couldn’t say it, she’d show it.
She grabbed his face and planted the biggest kiss she could muster. Every bit of longing, happiness, and love flowed from her and into the touch of their lips.
When she pulled back, he sat with closed eyes, face still tilted toward her, and with a bemused expression.
He swallowed and licked his lips. “That was a yes?”
Maggie laughed and threw her arms around him, kissing him again.
“Yes, silly! Yes!” Her shout echoed, scaring birds from the trees.
David visibly sighed. He smiled and pulled the ring from the box. His hand shook slightly as he slipped it onto her finger. “Thank goodness, because I was about to die of fright for a second there.”
She cut off his words with another kiss and then leaned her forehead against his. “And I couldn’t speak for a second there because you made me so happy.”
“I do have one more thing to ask.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
His face flooded red. He closed his eyes. “Can we have the wedding soon? Your kisses are killing me, baby.”
DAVID JUMPED AND SPILLED his coffee on the counter when his phone vibrated. One of these days, he was sure to have a heart attack from that. He reached into his front pocket and pulled it out. It was early for her to call.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“David! Dad’s in Memphis. No one else is here. You gotta help . . .”
He set his cup down. Apprehension rippled through him. “Maggie, what’s wrong?”
Her words tumbled through the phone. “She left a note, but she’s gone. I thought she was in bed when I went to take a shower. I can’t believe I’m such a bad mother. How could I let her run away? I don’t know what–”
“Maggie!” He shouted over her words. “Calm down! Tell me–”
“–I’m almost there.”
There? Where there? David rushed to the front door and threw it open. Sure enough, her truck barreled down the driveway.
Rocks flew as she skidded to a stop. The driver’s door practically flew off its hinges. She rocketed from the cab. David pocketed his phone and hurried toward her. It would have been comical if she had not been so upset. She still cried into the phone as she ran to him.
“. . . it was her pillow and not her. I can’t–”
David snatched the phone from her hands and crushed her body into his. Words continued pouring from her, her fists wringing his undershirt. “Poppy said I couldn’t love her anymore, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t find her.”
The door behind him opened. His dad stood there, pulling his suspenders up on his shoulders. “David, what’s going on?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. She’s not making much sense at the moment.” He pushed Maggie away and held her at arm’s length. Tears streaked her face. Her eyes gleamed like polished sapphires. Her chin trembled with each breath. “Calm down, Maggie. Tell me, slowly, what happened.”
Her hands fluttered as she spoke. “I woke up. I thought Poppy was still in bed. I checked, I mean I really checked. I thought it was her. I can’t believe I’m a bad mother already. I only went to take a shower.” Tears flooded again. Her chest heaved, and she collapsed against him. She pulled a paper from her shorts’ pocket. “Here.” She shoved it into his face.
He passed the note behind him. “Dad, read it please.” David held her racking, sobbing body as tight as he could with the other arm. She slowly fell to her knees, and he sank with her.
Dad took the paper. Mom arrived on the scene and rushed to their side. David gently rocked Maggie as her sobs subsided. Her misery and pain stabbed deep into him. It killed him to see her this way.
His dad’s voice rose above Maggie’s wails. “Dear Maggie, I know that you can’t love me since David is going to marry you now. I think it is better if I find a new home. Please don’t worry about me. Take care of Sorta and make sure Samson doesn’t bite her. Tell David that I love him but that I know he can’t love both of us. I’ll be sure to write. Poppy.”
Maggie pressed herself harder against his chest. Tears soaked him. Her body shook, and she burrowed herself deeper into his arms.
His dad looked down at Maggie. “When did you find this?”
“A . . . inutes . . . go.”
At his dad’s confused expression, David translated. “She said a few minutes ago.” He slowly brushed back her tangled hair. His hand rubbed circles around her back before gently pushing her back so that he could look into her eyes. “Listen, she couldn’t have gotten far. We’ll find her.”
Nothing but sobs came out. How many tears did she have? His poor baby was a walking hydrant. He placed a hand on her head and pulled her to him once more. Her hair, still wet from her shower, clung to his cheek. Her arms latched around his waist.
“Come on. Buck up a little. We can’t find her like this.”
Maggie nodded, but David felt new wet patches form against his stomach. His mom knelt down beside them.
“Here, Son, let me have her. Y’all go get our little girl.” His mom gently pulled at Maggie and coaxed her to her feet.
Sputtering and sobbing, Maggie stumbled inside with his mom. David rose to his feet. His dad stood holding the letter out to him. He took the note and read. She had used Maggie’s sparkly pink pen.
His heart slammed against him. Air left his lungs. He wavered as he read Poppy’s pretty handwriting. His finger traced the letters. So many times he had helped her with her penmanship. Sitting on the small living room floor, using the old coffee table as a desk. Maggie watching them from the kitchen. His hand shook. His little flower had left them.
His dad laid a hand on his shoulder. “Careful, Son. Let’s get the family together. We’ll all find her.”
A tear splashed down on the note, and David realized his face was wet. He folded the note and stuck it in his back pocket. “I . . .” He cleared his throat and fought the lump down. “I’ll call Jeremy. You call Darlene.”
He scrubbed at his face. His hands shook harder as he tried to press the speed dial on his phone. He managed to hit the four button. As he waited for Jeremy to answer, he walked off down the driveway. Gravel skittered beneath his sandals.
“David?”
“Jer. Poppy’s gone. Maggie came over. Poppy left a note. She’s disappeared.” Saying the words, David felt like Maggie. His body trembled. His gut clenched. Tears threatened to flood. He leaned his hand against the old oak tree. “We need everyone to help find her.”
“We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
No questions. No hesitation. David closed his phone. His brother was coming.
His family was coming.
Minutes seemed like eternity as they stretched. His heart hammered at him again. There was no way his ribs were going to retain its furious beats. Dad’s hand massaged his shoulder, and the wild jackrabbit leaping around inside him calmed down.
He brought his head up at the sound of a deep rumble. Jeremy’s F-250 screamed around the corner and braked, sending a white cloud billowing past. Sarah’s car careened past them to the house. She leapt out, threw a wave, and ran into the house, Sophie right behind her.
Jeremy hopped out with Dennis. They flattened themselves against the truck as Marty Sr.’s Navigator pulled into the driveway. Darlene flew out of the SUV and ran to the house.
Both of the Martys emerged. Marty Sr.’s voice rumbled. “How we doing this?”
Jeremy pointed at Dennis. “You take Dennis and Marty. Check out the downtown area; then, branch off into the mall. David and I will take the outer highway close to Maggie’s. Dad, you take Mom and check the church, the cemetery, and the playgrounds.”
The front door slammed. Maggie ran toward David. The impact of her body catapulting into his almost knocked him down.
“Sarah, Sophie, and I are going to check the riverside and make our way down to Arkabutla,” Maggie told him. “Poppy’s always talked about having a camping trip down there.”
David’s hands wrapped around Maggie’s face, and he looked deep into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, pressing her lips together. “I am now. Family’s here.”
He lowered his forehead to hers. Cool skin against hot. “Yeah. They are. Go. Jeremy and I will check the highways.” He tasted salty tears as he covered her lips in a quick kiss. Then she was gone, running back toward Sarah’s car.
Jeremy slapped David’s shoulder as he passed. “Come on. Every second counts, little brother.”
Jeremy’s truck roared to life as David slid into the seat. They left the rest of the family scattering for their own vehicles.
Poor Poppy. Feeling alone. Feeling unloved. Feeling like he once felt.
He lowered his head into his hands and scrubbed at his hair. Fingernails dug into his scalp. His heart lurched within him. Tears boiled inside. He needed to control himself.
“Don’t hold it back, little brother.” Jeremy’s hand slid across his shoulder, squeezing it. “Talk to me.”
David shook his head. “Go to M
aggie’s cottage. Let’s check the riverbank. Poppy and I walk the banks a lot.”
“Sure thing.”
Within minutes, they arrived at Maggie’s. David jumped out and raced to the backyard. The little wooden pier was empty. He took the left trail with Jeremy on his heels.
“Poppy!” His voice echoed in the woods and off the river. No reply came. No Poppy.
Jeremy grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. “Let’s look elsewhere. She wouldn’t go this deep into the woods.”
David nodded dumbly and followed his brother back to the backyard. She had to be somewhere. Oh, please, lead them to where she was.
His breath hitched.
His knees buckled.
David sunk to the ground. His mind whirled–his family, his girl. Everything and nothing cascaded through him.
He knelt on the hard rocks in the dirt. They dug into his knees. His heart ached.
He stretched out his hands. His head bowed. Smooth dirt caressed his forehead. Now he knew how King David felt. He could feel his soul ripping apart, and for the first time in so many years, he cried out with his whole heart.
The words would not come, but God knew his heart. He had to know his heart. Oh, please, keep her safe. Don’t let another be taken from him. Keep her wrapped in your loving arms. Protect her. Help them find her.
His hands formed fists around the small rocks, squeezing them until they cut into his palms. “Don’t abandon me, please.” He breathed the words, the dirt stirring underneath his lips. “Don’t take another away, please. Guide us to her. Oh, God, forgive me. I’ve wronged you. Don’t let my sin harm her.”
“God doesn’t work like that, little brother.”
Jeremy knelt beside him. No touch upon his head or shoulder this time. No other words spoken by him. His comforting presence bolstered David’s resolve.
David closed his eyes. A feeling of peace washed over him, urging him to speak again. He opened his mouth, tasting dirt against his lips.
“I ran from you, Father, but you would not let me go. I hated you, Father, but you would not stop loving me. Now, I am back in your arms, and I beg your forgiveness. My child is gone. Please help me find her. Don’t let her repeat my mistake. I cannot do this without you. I see that now. I am yours. Oh, Lord, I am yours!” A sob became his amen. Tears fell and created small puddles of wet dirt. The rocks in his hands were a lifeline thrown to him. Eternity passed. Time never existed.
