by Garcia, Rita
“I don’t want your letter. Now leave.”
“It’s…it’s a letter stating documents are being drawn up to deed your property to Betsy.”
“You’re going to give up this property? I don’t like tricks.” He squinted, intensifying the crevices around his eyes, and studied my face.
When I placed my foot on the wooden step, I stumbled. He reached out and kept me from falling. “Here.” I thrust the letter into his hand. “The legal papers will be ready in a few days.” I turned to leave and glanced over my shoulder. I wanted to tell him I would never hurt my grandmother. But was it a promise I could keep? I remained silent.
“Be careful.” He waited until I moved down the steps before going inside.
I inched closer and looked at the window and saw tears on my grandmother’s face. Could she see mine?
Chapter Forty-one
The curve of the cul-de-sac ended in front of Alec’s house. According to him, his wife’s grass-colored thumb was responsible for the manicured landscape.
Alec trotted out his front door in jeans and a paint-splattered shirt, pushed a button and the garage door rolled up. “Morning, boss.” He tossed drop cloths and paint supplies into the bed of my truck.
“Want to tell me what we’re doing?” From the look of things, we were in for a few long hours of sweaty work.
“Ted wants to meet at Brandon’s house. Says a few repairs are needed.”
He hopped in the opposite side while I slid under the wheel. “How much damage could’ve happened since Brandon’s injuries?”
He shrugged. “Ted asked. So we’re going.”
If one of us called, Alec rallied. It explained why he was good on the force—he was dependable. Neither of us had been to Brandon and Rachel’s before, but he spotted the address and pointed out the house.
A tarp covered a portion of the roof. I shook my head in disbelief. “It’s in dire need of more than a brush and roller.” The dingy white paint had peeled in papery strips and exposed the wood of the old frame house.
We found Ted attempting to pull a rake through the weeds in the backyard. He pushed his cap higher, exposing his forehead, and wiped sweat and grime from his face with his sleeve. “I had no idea. We met after work for drinks. He never invited me to his house and I never gave it a thought.”
I pushed my sunglasses back into place. “Did you clear this with Rachel?”
“I asked if she needed yard work or anything done. She smirked, told me it needed a bulldozer. This is what I found.”
“You’re thinking the three of us can scrape the house, put on a new roof, and repair the windows?” I looked around. “For starters.”
Ted released a heavy sigh. “Any suggestions?”
“Ever watch one of those shows where they assemble a team of professionals and remake the whole place in a weekend? Meet me at the station. Let’s call in some favors.”
Later, Alec and Ted left to meet with the contractors, and I met with the interior suppliers.
Agreements in hand, I strolled into my sister’s shop, and there was Sam. The lady had a powerful effect on me. I forged ahead. I explained the situation and Maggie and Sam both swiped at their tears. “And here’s where you come in. The inside needs carpet, drapes, and furniture.” I laid the list of suppliers on the table in front of Maggie.
“Consider it handled.” Maggie jotted down notes.
“Where’s Wolf?” He seldom left Maggie’s side.
“Getting a routine checkup. Then a bath with the groomers.” Her attention immediately turned back to Sam.
“If Linda comes in tomorrow, we can drive over and take measurements and sketch out a few details.” Sam stared at Maggie’s list from across the table. I missed spending time with Sam. I missed the sound of her voice—I needed to leave and clear my head, before I said something stupid.
Maggie tapped her pencil on the pad in front of her. “Sounds like a plan. We also need to talk to Rachel. I’m not quite sure how to get her input without letting on what we’re up to.”
“If you need anything else, let me know.” Neither responded. Sam and I weren’t happening. If I told myself that enough, maybe it would penetrate my dense brain. Out of habit, I tipped my hat to the Indian statue and headed back to Brandon and Rachel’s.
The work had begun in full force. I joined Alec and Ted, who stood to the side, watching the progress.
“The contractor agreed to add two more bedrooms.” Alec pointed to where the back walls were being torn down. “Three kids in a two bedroom house—how do they manage?” Alec jumped back when a large chunk of the wood siding landed a little too close.
What happened to our two-day project? “Will it be finished in time?”
Ted’s quizzical expression said he wasn’t sure either. “Rachel and the children are staying with family in Mariner Bay, closer to the hospital. I didn’t tell her what’s going on.”
“Glad you’re dealing with her.” I tugged my keys from my pocket. “I’ll be at the station.”
“Okay if I bum a ride?” Alec fell into step beside me.
We drove a couple of miles before Alec stilled his tapping fingers. “Want to share what’s bothering you?”
“Nothing really.”
“Woman trouble?”
“Sam broke it off—maybe it’s for the best.”
“Relationships hit snags, even after you’re married. Peggy and I hadn’t even been married a whole year when she decided to move back in with her parents. I started courting her again—we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. She came home and we vowed to never use leaving as a threat unless we were serious.”
“Yeah, well, this proves I don’t need a woman complicating my life.” Sam had never lied to me. She had never promised to stay. She had never used the word love.
“You lie to yourself often?” Alec resumed his incessant tapping.
“Clever.” I shot him a look. Nicole pulled out of the station and waved as we entered.
Without checking in for updates, I closed the door to my office and tackled the department’s budget. Allocated funds were about to be cut, again. Hank’s part-time position would probably be the first fatality. I hated the thought of letting him down. My sister’s ringtone sounded. Glad for the reprieve, I reached for my phone. “Hi, sis.” I listen for moment shaking my head. “No problem.” I disconnected the call with a deep sigh. And I was the one who decided she should have a dog.
Maggie was on her way to see Rachel, and needed me to pick Wolf up from the veterinarian and deliver him to Sam. Was Maggie interfering? I hadn’t told her about the breakup, but maybe Sam had.
I never could say no to Maggie. An involuntary smile crept onto my face. It is a good excuse to see Sam. I grabbed my cap and rushed out as if an emergency call had come in.
When I retrieved Wolf, he acted confused. The brute had become attached to Maggie, and he hadn’t been back in my truck since I rescued him. The only time he was away from her was when Sam borrowed him for play dates with Goldie. I lowered the passenger window, which pacified him some. As I parked, Sam and Goldie came out the door of the bookshop to meet us. Sam opened Wolf’s door and grabbed his leash. Finally, the big dog acted like all was right with the world, and I knew exactly where he was coming from.
“Maggie sent me a text and said you were bringing Wolf to me. Thanks.”
“I can go get dinner from Jake’s.” I shoved my hands into my pockets to keep from touching her hair, or tugging her into my arms.
She hesitated and I almost rescinded the offer. “Thanks, dinner would be a big help.” She looked to have her hands full as she ushered them back inside the shop.
I returned from Jake’s and sat the food on her kitchen counter. The smells coming from the bags of food woke my hunger in a huge way.
Both of us awkwardly struggled to make small talk while we ate. Then we sat on the floor, playing with the dogs until Maggie called, letting us know she was downstairs. I hurried and let her i
n. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey, yourself.” No sooner had she entered the apartment than she plopped on the floor next to Sam. “Mission accomplished. I met with Rachel.” Her voice bubbled with enthusiasm.
Concerned, I intruded on their conversation. “Did Rachel mention how Brandon’s doing?”
“Rachel spends much of her time sitting with him. She did say the healing process was proceeding faster than the doctors anticipated it would.” She barely paused before she turned back to Sam. “The house is going to be unbelievable.”
“Have you eaten? We have plenty of food.” Sam balanced a hand on the ottoman and pushed herself up.
“I’m starving. I left Mariner Bay so late I didn’t bother making any stops.” Maggie followed Sam into the kitchen, still talking about plans for Rachel’s house.
While they chatted in the kitchen, I investigated Anne’s book collection. I fanned the pages of a Grisham novel as they came into the room.
“I started cleaning but only did the first shelf.” Sam stood next to me, pulling another novel from the shelf. “Oh. Little Women. One of my fav—” An envelope fluttered from inside the book and floated to the floor. She bent down and retrieved it. “It’s from a Daniel Cunningham. Originally addressed to White Lane, and then forwarded to the bookshop.” Her complexion went from rosy to pasty. She sat on the sofa and pushed the letter to Maggie. “Read it, please?”
Maggie opened the aged envelope.
“Dear Anne,
I hope you read this before tossing it in the trash. I realize I’m the last person you want to hear from. I’ve started this letter and tore it up several times—my words sounded so ineffective. So here goes. Anne, if I could turn back time and change our history, I would. It’s taken me too long to understand the impact of my actions.
I went to Samantha and grasped her hand. Maggie resumed reading.
Something happened earlier this evening. Although the greatest blessing of my life, it filled me with guilt. I held my newborn daughter in my arms. I looked at her tiny fingers and toes and knew she’d always be the best part of me.
I left the hospital and my thoughts drifted to you and my actions six years ago. Sorry—sorry doesn’t come close to what I’m feeling. When you told me I was going to be a father, I left Serenity Cove without a backward glance.
Holding Audra in my arms tonight taught me how much I hurt you. I now realize I lost something precious as well.
I have no right to ask this of you. After the way I acted, you still wrote to me, letting me know I had a daughter and about the adoption. I buried my shallow feelings and went on with my life. If you ever see our daughter, if by any chance she wants to see me, please tell her I’d like to meet her.
I’m ashamed of the humiliation I caused you. If you can ever find it in your heart, please forgive me.
I wanted to hold Sam closer. I don’t recall ever feeling another’s pain the way I felt hers at that moment.
“Anne wrote something on the bottom of the letter.” Maggie held it out for us to see.
Sam sat up straighter. “What?”
I forgave Daniel long ago. The harm he caused by running away, God used for my good. He blessed me with a treasure my heart cannot contain. A daughter. Still, I’m not sure I’m ready to tell him. I need to pray about it.
Sam took the tissue Maggie offered and wiped her face. Maggie folded the letter and set it aside. “I assume he’s talking about Audra Wheeler. It makes sense now, why you look like sisters. What are you going to tell Audra?”
Sam shook her head. “Audra? I can’t tell her.” She ran her hands through Goldie’s fur. “His letter doesn’t change anything—not with me.”
Maggie sat back on the sofa and pulled a jean-clad leg up under her. “Don’t you think your father owned up to what he did? He took responsibility.”
“He sounds both sincere and contrite. But it doesn’t change the damage he caused. Anne was forced to give me up, and I grew up without ever knowing her.” Sam stood and paced around the room. “A part of me wants to meet him and be forgiving. But I don’t think I can.”
Wolf curled up next to Maggie. “Anne forgave him.”
Sam glared at her. “And I find it outrageous that he’d ask her for help—after six years, he decided he wanted to meet me?”
“If you met him, it could change the way you feel—help you forgive him.” Maggie chewed her lower lip.
“Why do I feel like the villain? Like I somehow wronged Daniel. He walked out on Anne, and now I’m supposed to do the Christian thing and forgive him? Why should he get off so easy? Anne didn’t.”
I turned to Sam, wanting to comfort her—wanting to make her world okay. “Let it go for now. No one believes you’re in the wrong. Concentrate on other aspects of your life and leave this one for another day.”
Tears made pathways on Sam’s cheeks and trickled onto her top. “Other aspects? Like my grandparents who want nothing to do with me? All of this random craziness is too much. It’s time to go back to Stone Valley, so I can try to piece my life back together—I certainly don’t belong here.” Sam stood and paced around the room, stopping to gaze out the window. “I’m sorry, but I’d like to be alone right now.”
Her words stifled my breathing. I mumbled in an attempt to say goodbye and left. Life had reinforced what I had learned years ago—happily ever afters were never freely handed out—if they existed at all.
Chapter Forty-two
I have a sister I long to embrace. Grandparents who refuse to accept me. And a birth father I...I don’t want to know. Bewilderment flows through my veins, yet hope continues its quest to fill the recesses of my being and encourages me to believe in a future and a hope. If only I could. ~ Journal entry
Goldie alerted me and led me to the entrance. With an exasperated sigh, I remembered I hadn’t canceled the appointment with Audra.
I opened the door. Audra had brought a man with her. I recognized his azure eyes. Both stunned and speechless, I inhaled deeply, trying hard to pull it together.
“Hello, Samantha.” They stepped inside. “I’d like for you to meet my father, Dr. Daniel Cunningham.” Her expression overflowed with the pride she felt for this man who stood next to her.
He reached out and my heart froze as I clasped my birth father’s hand. “I’m Anne Makenna’s daughter.” Shock registered on his face, the same emotion that jolted through me, hitting all my vital organs like a pinball.
Audra was busy greeting Goldie. After a moment, he finally grasped my hand and placed his other hand on top. “The pleasure is mine.” He turned away.
Stupid—why did I tell him who I am? “Dr. Cunningham, there’s a coffee shop next door. You might enjoy a cup while Audra and I finish our business.” I needed him to leave—I needed to breathe. Thankfully, he politely nodded and walked away.
His custom-tailored slacks broke over a pair of Ferragamo loafers—similar to the ones my father had always favored. Combined with a dress shirt, the cuffs turned up twice, he appeared both distinguished and debonair. His polished appearance did little to impress me—I knew his history.
Audra wrenched her attention from Goldie. “The stench of the fire is still strong.” She scrunched up her nose.
“That’s the reason I’ve decided to cancel the listing until the shop is cleaned.” I looked into Audra’s eyes, so like mine, and wanted to tell her we were sisters. We had both grown up as only children, but here we stood, together and still alone.
“It’s already handled. Let me know when you’re ready to move forward with it.”
My breath caught in my throat as I stood there staring into my sister’s face.
“Looks like I lost my father—I’ll get out of your way and join him.” I watched her leave as her dad had earlier. Envy rose within. How I would have loved a father–daughter friendship as they apparently shared. I shook off the aftershocks of meeting Daniel, and grabbed some packing boxes to clear out the smoke-tinged debris.
More than
anything, I needed to work off the fury that made me want to confront Daniel—tell him how much I despised him. After a couple of hours of packing books, I took Goldie out back for a little fresh air.
Outside, Goldie suddenly ran to me with her little ears perked up. I looked behind me as a woman emerged from the backdoor of the shop.
“Can I help you with something?” I patted my leg and Goldie sat at my feet.
She held what looked to be the daily edition of the Serenity Cove Chronicle. “According to this ad, the Sea Glass Bookshop is for lease?”
“I’m Samantha Forrester. This little girl is Goldie, my hearing dog.”
“Hello, Goldie.” She turned back to me. “I’m Jezzica Leigh. Please, call me Jezz.” She stretched her arm toward me.
I clasped her offered hand. “Let’s go inside.” I led the way into the main part of the shop and faced her so we could talk. “Do you live here in Serenity Cove?”
“I live in one of the summer cottages down on Shoreview Drive.”
“So you vacation here?”
“I live here now. But, my sister and I spent many summers here with our parents. We loved coming to the bookshop for story time with Miss Anne. Are you related to her?”
“I’m her daughter.” It surprised me, this feeling of pride at the thought of being Anne’s daughter, although I still hit a snag when I thought about my real mother—I was much more her daughter.
“I’m sorry for your loss. She was a lovely woman.”
“Thank you.” I didn’t say I’d only recently met her—vicariously.
“Any chance you’d consider selling the shop?”
“What type of business do you have in mind?” I braced myself. You can do this.
“A bookshop.” Her eyes opened with surprise, as though she wondered how I could ask such a silly question. “I couldn’t imagine it being anything else.” Her dark chocolate eyes sparkled. “I can’t wait to have the children come for story time with Ms. Jezz.” Her cheeks brightened with a shade of blush. “I’m sorry.”
“No worries. I took it as a compliment. Leave me your information—I’ll have my real estate agent contact you.” I smiled at Jezz, amazed at the peace I felt. “It’s a pleasure meeting you. I hope we can work out a deal.”
