by Tanya Stowe
Lance’s cell phone rang just as he was about to take a bite of his sandwich. “It’s Jeremy. I need to take this.” He excused himself from the table.
After he had gone, Vivian said, “Jeremy runs his father’s construction business. For all intents and purposes, Lance is retired, but running a large operation takes long hours. Lance likes to be there so he can take over for Jeremy, and send him home to his wife and children.”
Madison knew a great deal about Lance’s life. Over the years, she’d listened intently to Viv’s reports on Gwen and Lance’s family. Their milestones were written on her heart…and made her own life seem so very empty.
But that hadn’t been the case since she’d moved to Heart’s Haven. Ever since then, her life had seemed full of worthy events and love. She hated to think of her time here ending.
“Didn’t Lance’s daughter, Bethany, just have her first baby?” Madison pushed the unhappy thoughts out of her mind.
“Yes, the baby’s a month old now. I haven’t seen her in person yet, but I’ve seen pictures. She has a perfect little round face and dark hair like her mother. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more beautiful baby.”
A smile flashed over Vivian’s lips and Madison was glad she was able to turn the conversation around.
Lance returned and slid into his chair. “It’s all settled. I can stay as long I like. Jeremy already made plans for it.”
“Of course he did,” Viv said with a pat to Lance’s hand. “He’s his father’s son, always thinking ahead. How are Beth and the baby?”
“Great. Jeremy says Beth is adapting to no sleep and the baby’s put on two pounds since she left the hospital. Jeremy assures me she has her daddy wrapped around her little finger already.”
A little laugh escaped Viv. “As if Jeremy should talk. I’ve never seen a more doting daddy than he is.”
Lance smiled, and Madison wondered if he knew how his face glowed when he spoke of his son. Or how his eyes softened when he spoke of his daughter and grandbaby. He was leaning into Viv, his posture loving, attentive to his sister’s needs. So caring. So conscientious. The years had not changed him. Even now, with his dark hair streaked with silver and laugh lines at his eyes and mouth, he was attractive—if anything, he was more attractive than ever, more appealing, more…
Madison’s thoughts skittered to a halt.
And that was the second reason she needed to leave Heart’s Haven. In spite of the fact that Lance Dalton couldn’t stand the sight of her, she was falling in love with him all over again.
****
Lance sat in the sitting area downstairs, watching the walkway for Madison’s approach. Today was the first morning she didn’t have breakfast waiting for them when he and Vivian rose. He had to admit, he’d missed her silent, comforting presence. He told himself it was probably because Vivian had been particularly distant this morning.
His sister had slept poorly and awakened more depressed than usual. Even now, she sat in the chair opposite him, a cup of cold coffee in her hand, staring absently into space. After a morning of her empty answers and vagueness, they both needed a shot of Madison’s positive attitude.
When he saw her walking down the pathway, he rose and hurried to the entryway.
“Oh, hello.” She shut the door behind her and smoothed her windblown hair. “I hope breakfast was OK. I had phone messages to handle this morning.”
Lance smiled. “Cereal was just fine.”
Madison greeted Vivian as she walked from the parlor.
“Viv, we had a message this morning from the flower store. We didn’t specify a color for the free-standing candelabras we ordered for the wedding. He has white or silver.”
“Oh, silver, to match the large plant stands.” Viv started to turn away.
“But…don’t you remember? You decided you preferred the white wicker plant stands.”
“Oh…yes, I had forgotten. Then white candelabras, of course.” She stared at her cup. “My coffee’s cold. I think I’ll get another cup.” She headed up the stairs.
“Before you go…” Madison hurried to catch her attention. “Susanna called. Her kitchen sink is backing up again.”
“We’ll take care of it. Can you call Bill?” Viv didn’t pause or turn around.
“Right,” Madison said, then spoke under her breath. “Bill is the electrician. Stan is the plumber.” Slumping slightly, she headed down the hall to the small Heart’s Haven office. Lance followed her.
“I’m sorry so much work is falling on you.”
She glanced back over her shoulder, seeming surprised that he followed her. “It’s not the work that’s worrying me.” She dropped the large stack of mail she’d been carrying onto the desk and slipped out of her sweater. “I was just hoping to see a bit of interest from Vivian, at least in the wedding. I guess there’s not much improvement, yet.”
“It takes time.” Lance didn’t add that it had taken him almost a year to be able to think clearly. But then, Gwen’s death had been so unexpected, so abrupt. There had been so much paperwork, insurance bills…settling everything had seemed to go on forever. Each new piece of paper had made the accident seem like it had happened yesterday, until everything was so overwhelming, he couldn’t go on. But Viv wasn’t even trying to handle the work. She was handing it off to Madison. A new thought occurred to him.
“Was this how it was when Vivian’s first husband became sick?”
Madison stiffened. “If you mean how I took charge—”
“No, I meant how Viv left everything to you.”
That seemed to deflate her. She shrugged. “Viv gives her heart and soul to the people she loves. If something happens to them, it takes a serious toll on her.”
“I’m not criticizing. I know how big my sister’s heart is. I’m just seeing a very different picture than I did before.”
She didn’t seem to know what to say to that. She fiddled with the letters on the desk, not answering his question.
Her non-answer told Lance what he needed to know. “Well, at least it won’t all fall on your shoulders this time. What can I do to help?”
Smiling, she gestured to the pile of mail. “You can sort those. That’s yesterday’s mail. I forgot to get it and there’ll be another one just like it on the way today. Rent is due and it’s always a busy time.”
“Got it.” He opened envelopes and made piles of checks for deposit and bills. Meanwhile, Madison picked up the phone and started an endless list of calls. She handled the plumber, the flower shop, and a lengthy call to Dex Beckett, pausing only to give Lance more things to do as he finished each task.
But he realized he was just doing filler. She accomplished most of the tasks with a speed and efficiency that he admired. He would have given his right arm to have someone like her in his office. In fact, Jeremy would, too. But Madison was more than just efficient. Lance had seen some of the homes she designed. She was a true artist.
The imagery of a canvas flashed across his mind, and he wondered what his life painting would look like. Unlike hers, his life painting would probably be bright colors with patches of dark. How different their paths had been.
“I’m afraid I don’t have anything else for you to do.”
Madison’s words broke his train of thought.
“How about if I fix some lunch? I can handle grilled cheese and tomato soup.”
“Viv would like that. We were supposed to meet with the caterer at one-thirty. I’m not going to even try to drag her to that. I’ll meet with him and bring back the suggestions for Viv and Kaci. While I’m there, I’ll deposit those checks.”
“I can do that after lunch. It will give me something to do.”
She paused from gathering up her notes. “You know, maybe you should. I think it’s important you start learning how things run around here.”
The serious tone of her voice gave him pause. “Why is it suddenly so important?”
“Because…well, I might not be here much longer.”<
br />
Lance couldn’t have been more stunned. “Why not? What’s going on?”
“Tony is contesting our financial settlement. I had an investment I forgot to list…we both forgot to list. I invested a little money in a friend’s company. I did it more as a favor. It wasn’t earning much, and I forgot to list it. Then a few months back, the company’s stock rose to a point that my return was substantial. It’s helped me to stay here. Apparently Tony heard or read about the company’s improved status and decided he wanted his share of the earnings.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Lance felt the anger rising inside him. “Doesn’t he care that you’re still recovering and are on a fixed income?”
“I heard through the grapevine that the new Mrs. Harper wants to live in an exclusive flat in downtown Dallas. Her wants override mine, and I expect Tony needs the money.”
Lance couldn’t stop the angry words that just slipped out. “I don’t get it. I know you try to defend him, stick up for him but I never liked the guy. He was never good enough for you. Why in the world did you marry him?”
She halted in the process of sliding an arm into the sleeve of her sweater and gave him a look so deep, so intense, it sent waves pulsing through him. Suddenly, he didn’t want to know the answer to his question. He had the sinking feeling that it would change his life forever.
“I married him because the man I really wanted…”
Dread solidified inside him. “Don’t. Please…” he murmured too late.
“The man I really loved was already married.”
The words were spoken, out in the open, never to be taken back. They reverberated through Lance’s being, shaking loose memories, answering questions, filling him with understanding and regret. It happened in moments, but he felt as if a lifetime had just passed.
He stared at Madison, regret and sorrow filling him. He didn’t know what to say or even how to speak, but it seemed she wasn’t expecting a reply. Without another word, she turned and walked out the door.
He stood a moment longer. Wondering if it was true. How it could be. How he could have missed it. He walked upstairs, his feet stumbling over themselves.
Viv sat in the in the small living room of her private quarters, the cold cup still in her hand.
“How are you?” he asked.
She gave a start, as if just waking up. “Truthfully, I’ve been better.”
“You want me to get you some warm coffee?”
“No, really, it’s just something to do with my hands.”
“Are you hungry?”
“No thanks.”
“Not even for grilled cheese?”
She shook her head and then looked at him, really looked. Lance turned away. His sister had always been too good at reading him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“You might as well tell me. I’ll get it out of you sooner or later.”
He took a deep breath. “It’s nothing important. Madison was just talking to me.”
“Ahh, she told you at last.”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew. Everyone knew…except you.”
Lance flopped into a nearby chair. “I promise, I never saw it, never thought of her that way. Did Gwen think…?”
“Of course not. We all knew, especially Madison, how devoted you were to Gwen. But…wasn’t there always a little spark of something?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were always singing Madison’s praises, always so proud of her accomplishments. You might not have recognized it for what it was, but I did.”
“What was it?”
“Admiration. All the things most women instinctively know to fear. Except Gwen. She had such a pure heart and she felt the same way you did about Madison. That’s why she was so disappointed when Madison started behaving so differently. Then Madison helped things along by acting even worse. It seemed she was determined to be as bad as Gwen was good. And Tony was the right partner for that path.”
Lance winced. “You make it sound as if Gwen and I drove her into his arms.”
“You didn’t. He was Madison’s choice. She could have waited, found someone more suited. But he offered her excitement and success, and she pursued it with all her conviction. Unfortunately, it was never what she really wanted. If she hadn’t been so angry with God and determined to drive Him out of her life as well, He would have guided her down a better path.”
Lance shook his head. “She always had what the world considers important…money, fame…”
“But not love. And that’s the only thing Madison ever really wanted.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“Don’t feel bad. It all happened as it should have.”
“But she’s had such a rough time.”
“Which makes her life even sweeter now.”
Hadn’t Madison just said the same to him?
Rising from his chair, he kissed the top of his sister’s head. “How did you get to be so wise?”
“I’m not. God is wise. I’m just a good listener.”
“Are you sure I can’t get you something?”
“No, I’m going to sit here quietly and listen for a little longer.”
“Maybe I’ll go practice my listening, too.” With a squeeze to her hand, he left. He had a lot to think about. Grabbing his light jacket, he headed for the Angelina Forest trail.
6
“Viv…did you hear what I said?” Madison touched her friend’s hand.
Vivian jerked slightly and turned. “No. No, I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t. Tell me again.”
They sat on the porch swing, swaying slightly. The winds that had badgered them for three straight days finally abated and the early spring heat returned with a vengeance. Their gentle swinging motion created a little stir and cooled the late afternoon air.
Madison repressed her sigh of frustration. Time didn’t seem to be easing Vivian’s grief. If anything, she was worse.
“All the arrangements for the Easter brunch at Sonshine Ranch are finished. Everything is set. I spoke with Dex today and he wondered if you would be coming on Sunday.”
“Oh…” Viv's voice faded away as she looked in the distance. “I don’t know…I just don’t know.”
Madison looked at Lance, sitting across from them in one of the three white Adirondack chairs that graced the porch. Maybe he’d put in a word of encouragement…at least try to get Viv going. But he didn’t. In fact, he’d hardly said two words since she’d told him the truth about her feelings. The next morning she’d come to the big house, fully expecting a long, difficult rehashing of the past. Instead, she’d found silence.
The situation had made the following days awkward. Both Viv and Lance seemed distant, unfocused, almost lost to reality. Occasionally, Madison caught Lance studying her, but he never said a word. Those moments only added to Madison’s discomfort. With the loss of Mr. Hart, and now Viv and Lance acting so strangely, Heart’s Haven had stopped feeling like home. Most of the time Madison felt like a foreigner living in a foreign land. Sometimes she thought Lance’s righteous, cutting attacks had been easier to take than his odd, speculative silence.
Today, when Lance suggested she stop work in the office and join them outside on the porch, she’d gladly followed. Now, after her third attempt to draw one of them into a conversation, she wondered if she should have stayed inside.
Vivian grasped her hand and patted it, breaking into Madison’s thoughts. “Poor dear. We’re like Martha and Mary, aren’t we?
“What do you mean?”
“You know, Lazarus’s sisters? When something happens, you feel like you have to move, to help, to serve…like Martha. And I’m like Mary. All I can do is sit at the feet of the Lord and wait.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“I don’t know.”
“How long must you wait?”
“I don’t know that, either.”
Before she could express her concerns, all three heard a raised voice and turned in that direction. From the corner of the porch, they could see the front of Kaci’s cottage. She stood in the door, facing the trio on the porch, one hand clamped on the portal, another gripping the jamb as she listened to Ryne, who was saying something. Even from a distance, the troubled look on the young woman's face was apparent and though Ryne’s back was to them and his words were unclear, his low, taut tone clearly bespoke his mood. Suddenly, he spun and stalked off. Kaci stepped back inside and slammed the door.
“Oh dear,” Viv murmured. “Our soon-to-be wed couple seems to be having problems.”
“It’s probably just pre-wedding jitters. The ceremony is only a few weeks away, now,” Lance said.
“Hmmm, I hope so. They’re such a perfect couple.”
Madison disliked the fearful timbre of Viv’s voice. The tremble seemed like a visible wincing, as if she expected another, fatal blow any moment.
Her reaction frustrated Madison even more. “It’s this atmosphere. It’s making us all tense and uptight. It’s so heavy, so oppressive…” She broke off as a thought occurred to her. She rose from the swing and crossed to the porch railing. Sure enough, beneath a cloudless sky, a large circular shadow covered the area where Mr. Hart had fallen.
“It’s still there.”
“What?” Lance came to stand beside her.
“That big shadow over the plant beds. It appeared the day Mr. Hart died.”
Lance looked out on the grounds. “I don’t see a shadow.”
“How can you miss it? It goes from the plant bed to the driveway, at least ten feet." She rubbed her arms, upon which goose bumps had broken out. "It frightens me.
Lance gave her an odd look, his brows drawn together in a frown. “There’s not a cloud in the sky, and all I see are unplanted flowers.”
