by Mae Nunn
He swallowed and Jacqueline nodded at him encouragingly to continue.
“I could keep searching, and I thought I would have to until I found certainty. I thought I would not be able to rest until I could close the book on Pap’s history. But I’ve come to realize there are no guarantees anything will ever turn up. And perhaps more important, I’m learning it’s okay. It’s okay to live with uncertainty, to not be able to fix everything, to accept the things we cannot change.”
Joiner rubbed at the grass with the toe of his boot while Stella wept softly. Gillian, holding baby Lily, rocked back and forth, kissing Lily’s fuzzy head. Hunt and Cullen exchanged solemn glances, nodding at Mac. And Sarah placed her arms around her girls. Jacqueline squeezed Mac’s hand.
Mac continued, “So I asked you here today for two reasons. Gillian and Hunt said we could place this here as Pap’s permanent memorial.” He pulled back the sheet that covered a lovely stone bench laser-engraved with Pap’s full name. “Anyone who comes here to sit for a quiet moment in the shade will remember Mason Dixon Temple. But most of all, I want us to remember who we are to one another, always. Life and family can be messy sometimes. But we are strong together. I love you.”
They joined hands and shared a moment of silence and then said the Lord’s Prayer in unison. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
* * *
BACK INSIDE THE MANSION, which was now a five-star resort, they dined together in Hunt’s private dining room. He spoiled them with a smoked-tomato-basil soup, caprese salad and chicken parmesan with three choices of pasta and homemade focaccia bread.
“Oh, Hunt, I believe you are finally becoming as good a cook as me!” Alma teased, wrapping fettuccine alfredo around a fork by using her tablespoon.
Hunt chuckled. “Not possible! Isn’t that right, Felix?”
Felix feigned a look of pressure as his gaze passed back and forth between Hunt and his wife. “Sí, hijo. Exactly right.”
“Well, I just want to say,” said Joiner, “that I think Mac may have missed his calling.”
“What do you mean?” asked Cullen, looking up from his plate.
“Who knew that guy could give such a speech? Mac, I believe you could be a politician.”
Stella held her fork as if to stab Joiner in the arm. “I thought it was beautiful. And totally fitting.”
“Me, too,” said Gillian.
Jacqueline squeezed Mac’s knee under the table.
“We all needed it,” Sarah chimed in. “Thank you, Mac.”
“Yeah, bro,” Joiner said. “Awesome idea.”
“Seriously, though, Uncle Mac.” Carrie spoke up for the first time that evening. “Maybe you should run for governor. Meg and I could be your campaign managers.”
“Yeah!” Megan clapped her hands together. “We could make shirts with a T for Temple and Texas.”
“And the T could be flexing its muscles, like this!” Joiner showed off his guns.
“You guys are too kind. Really.” Mac adjusted his glasses. “But my speech-giving career has started and ended in the same night.”
Cullen raised his glass. “You’re a great leader for our family, Mac, and I appreciate you.”
“Here! Here!” said Hunt.
Every person at the table joined in. And they all toasted an emotional, but happy, big brother.
When Mac drove Jacqueline home that night, she invited him in despite the late hour. The brothers with children had left shortly after dinner, but Gillian, Hunt, Mac and Jacqueline had taken the party to Hunt and Gillian’s house, where they ended up visiting for several more hours.
“I know it’s late, but I need to show you something,” she said.
Mac sat down on Jacqueline’s couch while she hurried into her room. She returned with a manila envelope.
“I received this in the mail today. Just barely had time to read it before you picked me up this evening.” Jacqueline slid the contents out of the envelope and handed him the handwritten letter that was on top of several other documents. “Read this first.”
The envelope simply read “Jackie.” Inside, there were sheets of paper embossed with purple violets and the initials V.S.S.
“Violet Sue Sammons,” Jacqueline explained.
She touched the letters with reverence.
It was dated about the time Jacqueline had returned from her grandmother’s. Mac remembered, because she had gone right after tax season. And because it was the longest few days of his life. In swirling cursive from a black ink pen, Violet had written:
My dearest Jackie,
I am sitting here at the bar in my kitchen where we have sat for the past few mornings, drinking tea and sharing our lives. I miss you and I must admit it is tempting to feel sorry for myself that we’ve not had more times like these together. But one must not dwell on the past. And I do hope we’ll have many more good times together in the future.
If you are reading this, however, my time on earth has come to an end. I hope you will not grieve too much for me, because I have had a great life. And when my time ends, I will only go to a better place. I will see you again, my darling.
I am so proud of you and the woman you have become. What I am about to tell you may shock you, but know it is the best way I could think of to do what I feel in my heart is right. You know that my relationship with your mother, my only child, is complicated. I want to do the right thing when I pass because I don’t want to hurt her. And I don’t want to hurt Sam, either, although we are not close like you and I. So you will understand when you read my will why everything I own is officially divided equally between the three of you. It is the only way I can do it and feel like I am being fair. I would have given it all to my daughter. But as our priorities are so different, and I believe she would donate it to one of her causes (good causes, all), I have chosen to ensure what little there is that is my own goes also to my grandchildren. This is your inheritance as part of our family.
There is another matter, however. Not a living soul other than my attorney knows about it, except now I am passing it to you. I trust your judgment completely, and you may handle it however you choose. As far as I’m concerned, no one else ever has to know. You will understand in a moment why I am being so secretive. It is to protect you, and your relationships with both your mother and brother, such as they are. Because there is a large sum of money I am leaving to you and only you—to forward your dreams.
After your grandfather died, but before you were born, I went on a trip out west by myself. I had never been out of Iowa, but I wanted to see the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon and the Petrified Forest. I saw all of those and more—it was a great adventure.
At one point, I stayed in a bed-and-breakfast just outside of Taos, New Mexico. I met a man there over breakfast who had such sad eyes. They were the color of tree sap, a dark, burnished amber. I will never forget them. We instantly connected and I can’t say why. Perhaps it’s because I was sad, too, still grieving over the loss of your grandpa. Anyway, we spent the day together. He was kind. He knew the country well and took me to some off-the-beaten-path spots that were just beautiful. I fell in love with those rugged, deso
late spaces. I think in some way I identified with the desert landscape, being in my deep experience of loss. He was sympathetic. Understood what suffering was. We came back late to the B and B, and went to our separate rooms.
The next morning, I expected to see him at breakfast. I had a little New Testament in my suitcase I thought I’d give him as he seemed lonely and a little lost. I hoped to persuade him not to despair, but to put his trust in God. Instead, I found an envelope tucked under my door with a cashier’s check for a million dollars. The note simply said, “Violet, use this to build your future. From one who cannot escape the past.” My new friend had vanished.
As soon as I got home to Iowa, I took the note and check to my attorney, who made some inquiries and verified it was legitimate. We set up an account in trust as I was hoping to find my friend and return it. The problem was that I never knew his name. All I can remember is that the owner of the B and B called him “Pap.” That’s what he told me to call him, as well.
Jacqueline, I was so inspired as I listened to you talk about your dreams. Essentially, what you are endeavoring to do is give children who have little chance in the world a future. And I am proud of your courage as you go out to meet your future, choosing to put down roots and invest yourself in a community of people. So I have chosen to make my way of honoring Pap’s wish, and building my future legacy, by giving it to you. It will not be a lie if you simply tell others you received a large donation from an unknown benefactor.
I love you forever,
Grandma
Mac felt as though he’d been hit by a bus.
“Oh. My. God.” He never said this, except in prayer. And he was praying now.
“Do you think it was your Pap, Mac? The eyes. Did he have your eyes?”
“My father did, and I’ve seen pictures of Pap. They look identical. But of course, there are a lot of amber eyes in the world.”
“Not like yours.” Jacqueline lifted a hand to his face, smoothing the deep furrow that had formed in his brow.
“And I’m sure there are a lot of Paps—”
“With a million dollars?”
“Well, that’s just it. He wouldn’t have had a million dollars by then, unless he got it some other way.”
“But how?”
“I shudder to think.”
“There are just so many imponderables...” Jacqueline’s voice trailed off.
Mac stopped himself from climbing on the crazy train his thoughts threatened to become. If he went there now, what was the meaning of this whole night? And the letter—it wasn’t about him. It was about Jacqueline and her grandmother.
He turned his eyes to focus completely on her face. “How do you feel about it, babe?”
Jacqueline brushed away a tear. “I don’t know. It’s all so unbelievable.”
“You know what I think? I think it is wonderful.” Mac hugged her tightly. “You are so deserving of this miracle. Congratulations!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
JACQUELINE CORRESPONDED WITH Grandma Violet’s lawyer for the best part of the following week. She already had an account set up at the Texas State Bank of Kilgore for a nonprofit organization in her name. The Cavender donation, as well as the $10,000 from Hunt and Gillian’s celebrity friend, made up the balance. By Friday, that balance had increased by $1 million. Jacqueline Aimes was a millionaire.
In addition to that, her third of her grandmother’s estate turned out to be $50,000, plus a third of the proceeds of the house and acreage around it when sold. She put the $50,000 into a savings account. Jacqueline had no idea what she might use it for, but it was a secure feeling knowing it was there. And if she ended up not needing it, she could always put it into the home for displaced children, as well.
Now that she had the funding she needed, without waiting for all of her grants to come in, Jacqueline met with the builder and set a date to break ground. She also advertised for staff and took steps to prepare for the interviewing process. She prayed God would send her the right people, as that would be so important. Realizing she needed help and accountability, as the project had become so much bigger than she alone could manage, she also decided to set up an executive board.
On Saturday morning, Jacqueline slept in for the first time in what seemed like ages. The emotional roller coaster and pressing decisions of the previous week had done her in. It felt good to lie in the stillness and listen to the hum of Nemesis purring. Fresh, clean sheets piled with Grandma Violet’s quilts covered her in soft warmth. As she opened her eyes, rays of sunlight bathed her face in golden light. The only thing missing from her picture of total comfort was Mac. She looked forward to the day he would wake up by her side.
Jacqueline looked at the clock. 9:30 a.m.! She couldn’t believe it. She needed to get up if she wanted to take a good run and then clean her house. She had a date with Mac this afternoon—the first real date in as long as she could remember. Their lives had been so busy, so full of necessary but exhausting activity, that Mac had asked her for a date involving nothing and no one else but the two of them. Jacqueline had willingly obliged.
She had no idea what they were doing. He told her it would be a surprise, but just to dress comfortably. So when he showed up to get her at five o’clock sharp, she wore fawn-colored cargo pants with a drawstring ankle tie and a viscose tunic embellished with intricate embroidery and lace at the sleeves. On her feet were her comfortable sneakers. They were olive with bright fuchsia contrasting laces.
“Perfect,” Mac said. “As usual.”
In his rolled-up army pants and white shirt and sandals, Mac looked less cowboy than she’d ever seen him. It was weird. But he was gorgeous whatever he wore and he was the one who knew their destination.
“I’m going to have to blindfold you now.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“I don’t want you to see where we’re going.”
Jacqueline closed her eyes and allowed it.
“Don’t you trust me?” Mac’s tone was wicked.
“That should be obvious.”
It was a strange sensation to ride somewhere blind. Jacqueline didn’t relish it. At the same time, her anticipation was building. Just before she thought she would burst, Mac stopped the truck.
“Can I take this off now?”
“Not yet. Almost.”
He jumped out of the truck and she listened as he walked around to her side. There were no other sounds—no cars, no engines, no noises—except his footfall. When he opened the door, he took her hand and led her over uneven ground, steadying her with his other arm. Jacqueline heard twigs crunch under her feet, and the sound of lapping water. There was a natural, earthy scent in the air.
“We’re almost there. Just a few steps more.”
Mac stood behind her, untying the bandanna he had used for a blindfold.
“Voilà!”
The scene in front of Jacqueline was unlike anything she’d seen before, except in her dreams. A quilt was spread out on a bed of grass just a few feet from the water. On the ground beside it was a basket, presumably containing food for a picnic, because the quilt was set with fine china, linen napkins and silver. Champagne chilled in a bucket of ice. In the center of the quilt was a votive candle inside a cut-crystal globe. It flickered and danced, scattering light in every direction on the quilt, which, being under a huge willow tree, was in the shade. A rowboat was docked nearby.
“Mac!” Jacqueline exclaimed. “Oh, my goodness. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you like it.”
He slid his arms around her, kissing her neck from behind.
“I love it. It’s enchanting. Thank you.�
�� She turned to face him and met his lips with her own. They shared a tender kiss from which neither one wanted to pull away.
Finally, Mac stepped away. “Are you hungry?”
“What’s for dinner?”
She sat down opposite him on the quilt as he unpacked the basket. There was a warm baguette, three kinds of cheese, and grapes and butter and chocolate.
“Did Stella help you with this?” Jacqueline asked.
He grinned. “Maybe. Why do you ask?”
“These are all of my favorite things. And I don’t think I’ve ever told you that. Not down to this kind of detail, anyway.”
“I might have had a little help,” he said, and winked.
He uncorked the champagne and poured her a glass. The bubbles sparkled like a thousand starbursts exploding up and down the clear flute.
“This is amazing,” Jacqueline said as she took a sip.
“Try it with strawberries.” Mac handed her one from the basket.
“What else do you have in your basket of tricks?”
“Time will tell.”
They ate while gazing out at the water of the pristine lake.
“Are we on—your lake?”
Mac laughed. “My own personal lake. And yours.”
“So where is your house?”
Mac pointed far across the way. “It’s in that direction, but you can’t see it from here.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Want to go for a little boat ride?”
“Is that for us?” Jacqueline pointed to the rowboat.
“It is. Your chariot awaits.”
They climbed down the bank just a few feet to where the boat was docked on the water. Mac climbed in and then held his hand out for her.
“Is that a guitar?”
Mac snorted. “Wonder who would leave a thing like that in here.” His eyes kindled with inner light.
She took his hand and he helped her settle on the bench opposite him.
