Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance

by JoAnn Durgin

  “Actually, this inn is quite interesting,” Seth told them. “Like the Bethel Inn nearby, this one was built in 1873 to serve weary train travelers, and the depot was just down the street. As far as things to do in the region, there’s hiking in the Great White Mountains National Forest, canoeing and kayaking on the Ellis River, the Artist’s Covered Bridge, the scenic drives, the Moses Mason House…”

  “Who was Moses Mason?” Bryce asked.

  Caroline straightened in her chair. She’d bought a book written by a local author and had read up on the local legends and history. Seth encouraged her to continue and squeezed her hand where it rested in her lap.

  “Moses Mason was one of the most prominent citizens of Bethel, a neighboring town, in the 1800s,” she continued. “He was a state representative, a practicing physician, the first postmaster, and justice of the peace among other things. His Federal-style mansion is fun to tour. Seth took me on a tour last week. It features beautiful Rufus Porter murals lining the front hallway and lots of gorgeous woodwork.” Caroline glanced at her mother and she appeared to be listening. “I think you’d enjoy seeing it, Mother. Bethel was a very prosperous town, and today, the Mason home is the headquarters for the Bethel Historical Society.”

  “Duncan, mark our calendar to go see this Moses Mason House.” Eleanor motioned with her hand as Caroline had so often seen her do with the household staff.

  Seth spoke up again. “Skiing is the main attraction in the area overall. Sunday River claims to have the most dependable snow in North America. There are also lumber mills and three big dairies in the area, as well as a popular raceway to help keep the economy healthy and thriving.”

  “Dairies you say? I wondered why your friend mentioned something about getting back to the dairy,” Eleanor said. It was all Caroline could do to not spit out her lemonade on the table while Seth turned his head and pretended to cough.

  Bryce glanced at Caroline with an arched brow. She mouthed to him that she’d tell him later. No way would she attempt to explain at the dinner table that Liesel was a nursing mother and the so-called dairy was none other than her friend’s ability to produce milk. For all her worldly sophistication, Eleanor Prescott could sometimes seem either naïve or misinformed. In an odd way, it also endeared her to Caroline.

  Caroline laughed quietly as Bryce and her father discussed something to do with the law firm.

  Seth grinned and nudged her shoulder. “What?”

  “Does the Visitors Bureau pay you to say all those things?”

  “No,” he said, smiling. “You didn’t do such a bad job promoting the area yourself. You’ve become a very capable ambassador of Oxford County. Thrills my old heart, it does. But I’m guessing your mother wouldn’t appreciate a gift of moose dropping earrings.”

  Caroline smiled. “You’re right. I hardly think animal excrement is her idea of an appropriate token of esteem and affection.”

  Seth winked and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

  “I understand there’s a lot of natural gemstones found here,” Bryce said. “I’m assuming that’s one reason you wanted to move here and what you use to make your jewelry?”

  Caroline nodded, smiling at her brother’s obvious interest. “This particular corner of Oxford County is known and recognized as one of the world’s richest sources of certain gems and minerals.”

  “Really? That’s interesting. Which gems?” Tiffany asked.

  Caroline grinned. “I’ll defer that question to our resident expert. Seth’s a mineralogist.”

  “Is that some kind of doctor?” Eleanor leaned forward, sounding more intrigued.

  “He has a doctorate and is a mineralogist and part-time college professor.”

  “The short answer is that I study rocks,” Seth said.

  “Gemstones, actually.” Caroline nudged Seth’s leg beneath the table.

  “I see,” Eleanor leaned back in her chair and reached for her mineral water.

  Returning her nudge, Seth told them a bit about the minerals and gems to be found in the region, keeping it interesting as always. He made everything fun. “Tourmaline was discovered at Mount Mica in 1821, and there’s been mining here ever since.”

  “Do you actually make the jewelry yourself, Caroline?” Tiffany asked, sounding genuinely intrigued. “It sounds fascinating. You must be very creative.”

  “I design the pieces but my partner, Toby, does the actual work. I couldn’t do it without him. We’re a good team.”

  “This Toby,” Eleanor began, showing renewed interest, “tell me about him.”

  “He’s a married man with five children and an invalid mother at home.” Exasperated, Caroline avoided looking at Seth.

  “He’s also a very talented painter and I’m sure you’ll see one of his oil paintings while you’re here,” Seth added. “Both Caroline and I own originals.”

  “I just don’t want you to bypass any opportunities, dear.” Even though Eleanor directed the comment to Caroline, she stared pointedly at Seth. What was up with her now? Her Jekyll and Hyde act was starting to wear on her nerves already. Not a good sign.

  “Mother’s afraid that I’m going to waste away here in Maine,” Caroline muttered to no one in particular.

  “As Caroline’s friend, I can assure you I won’t let that happen,” Seth told Eleanor.

  “Oh, is that right?” Eleanor studied him none-too-subtly over the rim of her glass.

  When the food arrived, Caroline suggested that Seth ask the blessing. Her mother had reached for a roll but dropped it onto her plate and lowered her head. Beside her, Duncan did the same. As she listened to Seth’s prayer, Caroline puzzled over her father’s behavior. His movements at times seemed jerky, his gaze far away, his answers not quite on-target. Eleanor often glanced his way and, behind the cover of her cloth napkin, she’d whisper something to him.

  Caroline and Tiffany found they had a lot in common including the baked Maine haddock stuffed with spinach and shiitake mushrooms they’d both ordered. Duncan and Bryce had the lobster, and Seth attacked his roast beef and baked potato with relish. While everyone else seemed to eat well, her mother pushed her chicken-filled pastry in circles on her plate.

  “Time to dance,” Bryce said, rising to his feet after the main course dishes had been cleared from the table. The small live orchestra to one corner of the room played slow ballads since the inn seemed to generally cater to an older crowd as evidenced by the preponderance of white-haired ladies and balding men. “Caroline? Care to join me?” He held out one hand to her.

  Caroline glanced up at her brother, surprised. Other than at weddings, they’d rarely danced together. “Sure.”

  “I’ll only keep her for one dance. Promise.” Bryce directed that comment to Seth. “Trust me. It’s important.” Seth nodded but shot a look of concern in her direction. She knew he’d be there for her if she needed him.

  As Bryce pulled her to her feet and led her to the dance floor, Caroline knew her brother had something significant to tell her. Judging by his expression, it was something serious.

  Something’s wrong.

  Chapter 29

  ~~♥~~

  As soon as they reached the dance floor, Bryce guided her to the opposite side of the dining room.

  “I need to tell you something,” he said as he slowed their dancing. “Mother and Dad had warned me not to say anything, but as your older brother, I feel compelled.”

  She searched his eyes. “What is it? It’s Mother, isn’t it? She doesn’t look well. She’s somewhat scattered and is only picking at her food.”

  “She’s the same as ever but hasn’t been eating well. She’s worried about Dad.”

  Caroline swallowed. “What about Dad?”

  “I’m sorry to just tell you like this, but there’s really no easy way. He’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.” Bryce pulled her closer and she heard his sigh. “It’s a fairly aggressive form of the disease, and apparently he’s already had it for a few years.�
��

  “No,” she murmured, shaking her head, her eyes filling with tears.

  “Caroline, I’ve worked with him the past few years. You haven’t been around him as much. I started noticing early warning signs a few years ago and they’ve become progressively worse. Dad’s stepped down from most of the trials now and Sidney’s handling them. That’s one reason you haven’t seen or heard much from our older brother.”

  “Oh. I thought…”

  “I know what you thought, and that still doesn’t excuse Sid’s behavior. He should have called you, stayed in touch, something. Just know he’s crazy busy. We both are. Dad’s increasingly forgetful and we’re all worried about him, especially Mother.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this over the phone in one of our many conversations?” The sting of hurt pinched her that she’d apparently been the only one not privy to this significant life change in her father’s life.

  They barely moved on the dance floor, and Caroline sensed Seth’s eyes on them even as he sat at the table and chatted with Tiffany. “Why wouldn’t they want me to know?” Her voice had risen, but she’d seemed helpless to stop it.

  “I knew Mom and Dad wanted to come for this visit and, like I said, they’d sworn me to secrecy,” Bryce said. “Every month that’s gone by, especially in the last year or so, I’ve noticed more symptoms in Dad. I told them I was going to tell you tonight. It’s not fair to keep you in the dark.”

  “Let me guess. Tiffany knows, too, doesn’t she?”

  “Sorry about that. She’s been closer to the situation. Please don’t hold it against her.”

  “I won’t.” Caroline leaned against Bryce for a few seconds, absorbing his strength, before pulling back again. “I might hold it against a few Prescotts for a while, but I’ll get over it. So, is there a prognosis? A timeline of some sort? Tell me what you know.” She’d be doing some research of her own in the coming days, she knew that much.

  “Not really. Seems this ugly disease can ravage the mind and memory on its own schedule although there are certain things we can expect. None of them good, of course. There is no cure, there is no healing. Dad’s joke is that—for a man as ordered and precise as he’s always been—this is the one thing in his life he hasn’t been able to schedule. And the one thing he can’t win.”

  “Sounds like him,” Caroline said. She glanced up into her brother’s face. Sweet Bryce. So strong, so handsome, and increasingly resembling their father in looks. Much more than Sidney. She was a combination of both their parents, but Sidney was his own man.

  “We’ve covered for him, Caroline. In the firm. Dad’s made some bad mistakes in the past couple of years, some pretty significant. We started noticing them and knew he was slipping. Not long after you told him that you weren’t joining the firm and moved up here, as a matter of fact.”

  She gasped. “Surely you’re not suggesting that my actions had anything to do—”

  “Of course not. Rest easy. Shocking announcements from your only daughter isn’t enough to jumpstart this disease. It’s a progressive deterioration. But not long after your move—just as a point of reference only—that’s when Sid and I told him he wasn’t representing the firm in the trials anymore. Do you have any idea what it’s like to tell your father, a founding member of one of the most prestigious law firms in the state, not to mention the entire country, that he’s not capable of practicing law anymore?”

  Caroline heard the catch in Bryce’s throat and pulled him closer. “No. I can’t imagine. I’m sure it was devastating for all of you.” He started them dancing again, and she followed his lead, not thinking about what she was doing.

  Seth tapped Bryce on the shoulder. “Is this a bad time or may I cut in?” Bryce kissed the top of her head and moved aside as Seth took over. Moving into Seth’s arms was like coming in from the rain. Clinging to him, she didn’t cry, didn’t talk, just allowed his love to flow over her.

  “I’m here whenever you need to talk.”

  “I know. I’ll tell you later, but right now, I…I just can’t.”

  “It’s okay. Whenever you’re ready.”

  “I love you, Seth.” Never had it seemed so important to tell him. As she looked over at where her mother and father sat, she knew she needed to tell them, too. Both of them.

  “I love you too, Caroline.”

  Not long after, they made their way back to the table. “Should I offer to pay our portion or will that offend your father?” Seth whispered as they finished their dessert and the evening wound down. “I need some help with protocol here.”

  “Go ahead and offer but he’ll turn you down,” Caroline said. She’d barely heard any of the conversation around her as she’d spooned a few bites of the Baked Alaska. The taste barely registered, and she was thankful she was sharing the decadent dessert with Seth. She loved sharing what she couldn’t eat with Seth and, as usual, he finished it.

  “I need to say something to him.” Seth stood beside her. “He’s going to the coat check. I think I’ll walk with him.” Caroline wasn’t sure it was the right time, but she was powerless to stop him. All she wanted was to go home, crawl into bed, and pull the sheets over her head. Instead, she watched the man she loved as he followed her father.

  Father, be with them both.

  Chapter 30

  ~~♥~~

  Seth came alongside Duncan where he waited at the coat check. “Sir, may I speak with you at some point while you’re here in town? Privately?”

  Duncan turned to him. “Does this request have something to do with my daughter?”

  He thinks I’m going to ask for his blessing to marry Caroline. “In a way, yes, but it’s not what you think. Not that I won’t be asking for your permission in that regard soon.” He was already bungling this in front of one of the most brilliant, articulate men he’d ever met. At least by reputation. The Lord had worked a miracle in his heart to even think of Duncan Prescott in this way.

  “Do you recognize me, sir?” His entire life, Seth had been told how much he resembled his father in terms of his hair, physical stature and certain facial features, namely his eyes and smile.

  After the coat check attendant handed Duncan three coats, including Caroline’s coat, her father pulled out several large bills from the inner pocket of his jacket and tucked them inside the tip jar. “Here you go, young lady. For a job well done.”

  Seth’s eyes widened. So did the attendant’s eyes, and he couldn’t blame her. Who heard of a two hundred dollar tip, and maybe more—depending on a wadded bill for which he couldn’t make out the denomination—for leaving coats in a room for a couple of hours? The man was indecently wealthy, incredibly generous, or completely oblivious. Or a combination of one or more of those three.

  “Come with me, Mr…?” Duncan’s eyes clouded and he frowned.

  Seth seethed and worked hard to prevent clenching his fists at his sides. “It’s Barnes.”

  “Right. Come with me, Mr. Barnes.” Duncan led the way to a quiet corner and Seth followed. Turning to face him, Duncan stared him hard in the face. “I don’t believe I do recognize you. Please don’t tell me I prosecuted a case against you.”

  “Not against me, sir. My father. Seventeen years ago. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. Matthew J. Barnes.” When no sign of recognition was evident in the man, Seth blew out a sigh and raked one hand through his hair. For years, he’d blamed this man for trying to destroy his family and Duncan Prescott couldn’t even remember? That was the final insult.

  Or the resolution.

  Beverly’s words came back to him. One of the verses she’d quoted to him about forgiveness. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

  Drawing up his shoulders, Seth stared Duncan in the eye. “I need to tell you that…I forgive you, Mr. Prescott. And also that I’m sorry for blaming you for certain things beyond your control all these years s
ince my father’s trial.” No matter how foolish that sentiment seemed now, especially in the face of a man who apparently couldn’t even remember one of his most high profile cases, Seth had to get it out and say the words. If nothing else, perhaps it’d make him feel better.

  “You forgive me? And you’re sorry?” Duncan seemed neither surprised nor angered by that statement. Looking at Seth was the face of apathy, and that was again the cruelest irony of all. He’d rather the man would rail at him, or spit in his face, or tell him what a lowlife his father was. But apathy? He wasn’t even sure how to handle it.

  “I can’t imagine what you’re forgiving me for, and what you’re sorry for, but thank you, son. Well, it’s been nice chatting and I’m glad you could join us for dinner. You let me know when you’re ready to ask something about my daughter.” He made that gesture that looked like he held a gun and clicked the invisible trigger. With a quick, hard slap on his shoulder, Duncan strolled back into the restaurant.

  Seth could only stare at the man’s retreating back. What just happened?

  ~~♥~~

  Caroline walked beside Seth in the parking lot. Lost in their own thoughts, neither one had spoken since they’d departed the restaurant.

  “Night, kids!” Duncan called, driving past them in their new Mercedes with his window down. Caroline jumped as her father honked the horn.

  The spell broken, Caroline avoided glancing at Seth. “Well, that’s enough to make me feel like a teenager again,” she mumbled, reaching his truck and leaning back against it. She shivered and crossed her arms over her middle even though the night wasn’t especially cold, especially for the season. A few leaves rustled and the night wind danced with her hair. “I think I’m numb.”

  Seth leaned against the truck beside her. “I know. I feel the same way.”

  They stood that way for a few lingering seconds before he looked over at her. “You want to go first?”

  “Not really. I defer to you.”

  “I asked your father if he recognized me. He didn’t.”