Jack leaned down, a finger lifting her chin. He grazed his lips over hers.
They jumped at a jingling behind them. Jen stood in the doorway of the kitchen holding up her car keys, her purse still hanging on her shoulder.
“Caught you,” she said through an amused grin.
Livy buried her head in Jack’s chest as they all laughed.
“Mommy, Jack messed up the fairytale again,” Beth stood at the end of the hallway rubbing tired eyes, a teddy bear hanging from the other hand.
“Oh, did he, sweetheart? Well, I’ll have to talk to him about that. Let’s get you back in bed.”
Jack smiled, picked up some throw pillows and set them on the couch. “We’ll see ourselves out, Jen. The kids were great.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate the help. You two go straight home, now. No stopping to smooch.” Jen’s eyes sparkled.
Jack grabbed Livy’s hand as they headed for the front door. “Can’t promise that.”
“That was fun,” Livy said when she was settled in the truck next to Jack. She hadn’t really given much thought to having kids before now. So many years with Sam, and the topic had never come up—though he’d never talked about marriage, either. Why had she stayed with him for so long? In just over a month with Jack, she’d imagined marriage and children.
“I’m glad you came. Two-against-two is better odds.” Jack lifted a hand for a high-five, which she returned. His cell phone glowed on the dash from a call coming in. “Oh, it’s Owen.” He answered with the push of a button. “Hey, man. We just left your house. I’ve got you on speaker. Liv’s here with me.”
“Hi, Jack. Hi, Livy.” Owen’s monotone voice was serious. “Jack, listen, I just received a voice message from Claire.”
Their eyes met across the middle of the dark truck. This couldn’t be good.
“What did she say?” Jack stopped the truck in an empty parking lot.
Jack wasn’t the only one interested in hearing this. Livy stared at the glowing screen.
“You sure you want to talk about this now? Wouldn’t you rather finish your evening?” Owen’s slow delivery was suggesting, not really asking. Whatever Owen had to say, it must be best for Jack’s ears only.
“Nah, that’s okay.” Jack’s shoulders met his ears in a shrug, as if trying to dismiss the oncoming conversation.
“Well, ok.” Owen paused a long second. “She asked if I’d talk to you, Jack, and try to convince you to go to counseling with her.”
Jack stared into the phone, both hands resting in his lap. What ran through his mind?
“How did she sound, Owen?” Livy bought Jack a moment.
“Well, she sounded normal, I guess. She wasn’t crying or anything like that, if that’s what you mean. I haven’t called her back yet, Jack. I wanted to talk to you first.”
“I told her I won’t go, and that’s all there is to it.” All joking faded from Jack’s demeanor. Even in the darkness of the truck, Livy could see his hands loosening and tightening around the steering wheel. Just as she reached to place a hand on his shoulder, his hands flew up.
“Who does she think she is?” Livy pulled back sharply at the anger in his voice. “Hasn’t she done enough? She doesn’t deserve a chance to explain things!”
“Now, Jack—” Owen tried interjecting reason, but failed.
“She cheated not once, not twice, but four times! She not only broke our vows, she destroyed them. It’s a wonder I trust anyone, thanks to her. And now she wants me to go to counseling with her? Why? To hear some sob story about why she deserves a second chance?” Jack let out an incredulous laugh.
“Jack.” Livy rested a trembling hand on his arm. Did he forget she was there? Surely when he calmed down he’d regret doing this in front of her. But Livy was no stranger to outbursts when such rotten pasts were involved.
“I’m the one who deserves to be happy.” Jack’s voice dropped to a near whisper. His face fell.
“Jack, I need you to listen to me.” Owen’s voice carried from the phone, even and calm.
A long silence lingered. Jack rubbed a hand over his face and leaned an elbow against the window ledge of the truck. Look at me, Jack. But his gaze settled on something—nothing—beyond the glass. Livy started to scoot closer to him, but deep husky words stopped her. “Yeah, Owen. I’m here.”
“I know you’ve had this sitting on your heart for a long time. It’s a really tough situation, but forgiving Claire is more important for you than it is for her. Why don’t you and I meet tomorrow and talk. Maybe for coffee?”
Livy looked up at Jack and waited.
“Yeah, okay.” Jack sat up a little straighter, picked up the phone, took it off speaker and put it to his ear. “Can you come out to the house around eight?” He listened and nodded his head. “Sounds good. And thanks, Owen.”
The call ended and Livy watched his chest rise with a deep breath. The air in the truck hung stagnant like a thick fog. What if that phone call changed everything? What if Jack decided it was easier to be with no one right now? Not possible. Livy shook her head as Jack put the truck back into drive and started for the main road. She couldn’t let her weakening insecurities gain strength.
He stared straight ahead. “Olivia, I’m so sorry.” His voice broke under his words.
The change in him was like storm clouds smudging out a noonday sun. Livy ached for him. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you for being upset.”
“I’m not upset.” He finally looked at her. “I’m angry. I didn’t realize just how angry until now.” They arrived at the inn. Livy looked up at the window where she’d first seen Jack, before she knew they’d fall for each other. Before she knew what torment he’d endured.
“I bet talking to Owen will help.” Did Livy dare ask the other question on her mind? When Jack didn’t speak, she couldn’t help but ask. “Will you meet her for counseling?”
Jack held her gaze for several moments. His silence told her he considered it. If he went, what would this mean for them? Would Claire take it as a sign that he’d give her another chance? In his fallen face, Livy saw uncertainty. Doubt. Hurt. She knew those feelings too well. Yet, in that moment, seeing the burden of anger and resentment on Jack’s shoulders made her realize that she’d forgiven Sam. She wasn’t sure when or how, but she had. Jack needed to find his way there, too.
When Livy was about to leave him to his thoughts and say goodnight, Jack spoke.
“I don’t know. But please promise me that you know this has nothing to do with you. You make me so happy. And you don’t need to worry.” His fingers wrapped around hers with a tight, determined squeeze.
She placed her hand on his cheek, and he leaned against it. “I won’t. Call me tomorrow if you want.”
“Goodnight,” he said with a nod.
“Goodnight, Jack.”
The walk to her room was arduous. Livy’s entire body seemed to buckle under the stress of what had just happened, their sweet evening with the children ground to a halt with Jack’s outburst.
“Will we ever be done with Claire?” The soft words filled Livy’s room. The floor was cool under her feet as she removed her sandals. Her prayer continued in her heart as she readied for bed.
Father, please be with Jack. Show him the way to forgiveness. And if meeting with Claire is in your plan to help him get there, please help me to be patient. Calm my fears and guard my hopes. You tell us your grace is sufficient. Help Jack to see that. Thank you for your faithfulness, Lord, to see me through to the life you want for me. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
The words faded in her mind as sleep came.
CHAPTER
Twenty
A unt Bea set a vase of bright pink gladiolas on the coffee table in the middle of the lobby. Their scent was as sweet as their color. “You feeling all right, honey?”
Livy stretched her neck, aching muscles screaming at her. “Fine, thanks.” Her eyes returned to the newspaper in her hands, but she hadn’t read a s
ingle word.
The older woman stopped in front of Livy, hand on hip. “You’ve been sitting here for an hour. It’s almost ten o’clock. You waiting for Jack or something?”
“No, ma’am. Just taking it easy.” But Livy was waiting for Jack. To call, or show up, or somehow tell her about his morning with Owen. She’d woken up that morning with last night’s prayer fresh on her mind. And a troubling new awareness of her place in between two people once connected by marriage. Despite Claire’s terrible infidelities, what if Jack decided to forgive her and give her another chance? That didn’t seem likely, but anything was possible when love—old love or new—was involved. She picked up her phone from the table and pushed the button to illuminate its screen. Only five minutes from the last time she’d checked.
“Well, whatever it is, you’re making me more nervous than a hen in a fox den.” Aunt Bea snickered, waving at a fly buzzing near her face. “It’s sure pretty outside. Why don’t you go for a walk? I do my best thinking on my feet.”
If only her feelings didn’t camp out on her sleeve. She wasn’t fooling Aunt Bea or herself.
“Sorry, Aunt Bea. I’m just letting something worry me a bit. A walk does sound good.” The newspaper folded into its natural shape as she set it on the table. Livy patted Aunt Bea’s shoulder and headed for the front door. What would she do without these wonderful women in her life?
Sunlight drenched the porch. Livy shielded her eyes from the glare and stepped down to the small garden in the front yard. Her fingertips explored velvety petals adorning the tips of tall rosebushes. The squawk of a blue jay in a nearby tree pulled her eyes upwards. Her gaze landed on the mountain behind the row of shops on the western side of the square. Meredith had told her about an easy trailhead that began just behind the antique store. She slid her phone in her back pocket and made her way westward.
By the time Livy’s phone came back into service range, the clock showed her short walk had turned into a two-hour hike. Except for a bug bite screaming on her wrist, it was just what she needed to clear her head. But still no call from Jack.
She crossed through the square’s center toward the inn. She’d come to a conclusion on the trail. It did no good to fret over anyone’s decisions but her own. Her actions, after all, were all she could control.
Lord, let me seek your guidance and will, no matter what the future holds. Be with Jack as he makes important decisions for his life, too. Help him to find forgiveness in his heart born from the grace you give us all. I know you love us, Lord. Amen.
She approached the inn’s gate and noticed a car parked next to hers. One she hadn’t seen before. Maybe she’d finally have a floor mate. The possibility of new faces ignited a lighter pep in Livy’s tired legs as she closed the distance from the gate to the front door.
“Oh, there you are.” Aunt Bea’s cheery voice greeted her. “You won’t believe what happened while you were out.”
Livy poured herself a cup of complimentary ice water from the pitcher at the check-in desk. “What’s that?”
“A new guest checked in. Totally unexpected. No reservation.”
Livy smiled at her confirmed assumption. “How wonderful. I know you’re happy with a fuller house.”
“He’s definitely not from around here. Wasn’t much of a talker when I took him upstairs. But nice enough for a Yankee, I suppose.” Aunt Bea’s nose wrinkled before she stifled a giggle.
“You’re too funny, Aunt Bea. I need a shower after that walk you suggested.” Livy turned for the stairs. “You haven’t by any chance seen Jack, have you?”
The woman shuffled papers behind the desk then reached to answer a call. “No, honey. Sure haven’t.”
Livy retreated to her room and enjoyed a hot shower. She dressed, slipped on some new flats she’d bought shopping with Jen recently, and took out her cell phone. In a new message, she typed to Jack: Hi there. Hope you are feeling better about things. Text me later. I think I might go antiquing. Love you. Send.
The early afternoon sun blanketed Livy’s freshly washed skin as she made her way to her car. A wall of gray clouds was forming over the western ridge she’d hiked earlier. If rain was on its way, the gardening would have to wait.
“Livy …”
The familiar toneless voice stopped Livy in her tracks. It can’t be. Her heart revved to a dizzying speed. After a deep breath, she willed her torso to turn around. There, on the top porch step, dressed in blue jeans and a NY Yankees T-shirt was Sam. Tall, lanky, and more strikingly handsome than she cared to admit.
No, no, no. The sight of him drew a sharp breath, though Livy was without air. She took a step backward as he left the porch and approached her. Like in a bad dream, she wanted to run, but her legs seemed as heavy as concrete. She’d put so much distance between them—and worked so hard to distance herself from being vulnerable his discouraging habits. She’d started to grow. How could he be here now?
“What … what are you … why …” Livy’s shaky voice gave away her shock. Was he the new guest who’d just checked in? How did he know where she was staying? She bristled as he grasped her upper arms and his lips brushed a soft kiss against her cheek.
“I know. Crazy, right?” Sam placed his hands on his hips and studied his surroundings, a satisfied smile pulling his thin lips up. He actually looked pleased with himself.
The smug expression helped Livy find her nerve. He had nothing to be smug about. “Sam, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“Well, it’s not like you were hiding. Just poked around a bit before I figured it out. Can we sit?” He motioned toward a bench at one end of the yard.
Arms crossed, she held her ground. “I’d rather not.” She refused to fall into whatever trap he had set for her.
His eyes shifted to the ground. “Well, I suppose I do owe you an explanation.” There it was again, the same softer tone she’d detected on the phone the night she’d arrived in Laurel Cove. The almost undetectable hint of regret.
“Yes, you do. You have no right to show up here unannounced, to the place I now call home, and disrupt everything I’m trying to build for myself.” Tears threatened. She pinched the inside of her arm. He doesn’t deserve your tears. Plus, she refused to show him any weakness in her armor.
“Okay. Maybe I should have called, but I thought surprising you would make more of an impact.”
More impact than this? You’ve got to be kidding. Livy raised her eyebrows in protest.
“Listen, I said some things I didn’t mean that night I called. Hearing you’d moved away really floored me. I guess I didn’t think you’d really move on without giving me another chance.” He swatted at a swarm of gnats that migrated through the yard, a momentary scowl replacing the tenderness that had formed in his eyes. “I’ve done a lot of soul searching and can see now how terribly I treated you back in New York. Can you blame a spoiled single child of rich parents?” He forced a laugh and shrugged his lanky shoulders.
It was hard to ignore the obvious change to his usual defensive and arrogant attitude. Livy chewed on her bottom lip. “I can’t believe you came all this way to tell me that. Thank you, but you could have just called, Sam. And you shouldn’t have just shown up here unannounced.”
“Don’t you miss me? Miss us? Even a little bit?” His eyes searched hers the way a misbehaved dog looked to his owner for reassurance that he was still loved.
She had no words for him. Livy turned away, searching the sky for—what? In all the years she’d known him, Sam had never once looked even remotely lost. Strange how the tables were now turned. He was here, on her turf, putting the fate of his happiness in her hands. Livy could not ignore the timing of his arrival, after she prayed for God’s guidance—no matter what the future holds. She never would have guessed her future might still involve Sam in any capacity. And what about Jack? Where did things stand with him and Claire? Had she become too attached too soon to a relationship that carried no promises? One thing was for sure. Sam deser
ved kindness. He’d come all this way for her. But kindness did not have to come at the expense of her heart’s safety.
“Listen, why don’t we talk over some food. Any good places around here?” A hand landed on Livy’s shoulder, pulling her eyes shut. Compassion and fear wrestled inside her, oddly matched opponents. As if unable to bear her silence, he continued. “I’m starved. I haven’t eaten since I left the city this morning. That’s two crowded plane rides and a drive from the airport in a rental car that’s way too small for me. Come on, Liv. Surely a meal with me won’t hurt anything.”
“I don’t know, Sam.” Livy caught movement from the curtains of one of the lobby windows.
She’d bet anything Aunt Bea was keeping an eye on the developing situation, which both comforted her and made her anxious. The notion of mixing her two worlds—her past and her present—was dreadfully heavy. But Livy was hungry, Sam was here, and Jack was busy dealing with his own ghost of relationships past.
With a long inhale, she allowed her eyes to connect with Sam’s again. “Okay. There’s a diner a few miles out of town.” More aware now than ever just how small Laurel Cove was, she knew Brewed held too much possibility of running into someone. She wasn’t exactly hiding Sam, but being seen with him would take more explanation than she cared to give right now.
His smile was victorious. “That sounds fine. I can drive us.”
“No. I think it’s best we drive separately.” He didn’t need to think he’d won her over or anything.
His keys jingled as he pulled them from his pocket, his posture suddenly looser. “Livy, we’re staying at the same hotel. It only makes sense.”
“I’d prefer to keep my options open, if you don’t mind.” The last thing Livy wanted was to be stuck relying on Sam to transport her if the old Sam showed up.
“Whatever you say.” His hands went up in surrender. “But thanks for not refusing to talk to me. I’m not stupid. I know this could have gone a lot different.”
Before she could keep the distance between them, Sam stepped forward and hugged her. She stiffened from head to toe with fists clenched at her sides. She’d give anything to be leaning in to Jack’s comfortable embrace. Still, there was an acquaintance with Sam’s form that her body remembered. Funny how odd comforts could be found in the places that caused the most pain.
Someplace Familiar (Laurel Cove Romance Book 1) Page 19
