“Well, that’s my cue to exit the conversation,” Violet said. “Plus, I still haven’t shucked the corn.”
“Let me help,” Ron said, moving to follow her.
“No, Silas can go. You and Elise can bring the pie into the kitchen,” Mrs. Tam said with a sly smile.
“First you want us apart, and now you want us together,” Elise said. “I’m getting confused.”
“Oh, you guys,” Violet said, laughing. Silas could tell she was simultaneously embarrassed and charmed by the teasing of the older couple. “Come on, Silas. Let’s go shuck corn.”
He followed her willingly but Thor inserted himself between them, pausing for a moment to shoot Silas a look that said he was watching the man who had once given Violet a black eye. Silas tried to look meek and harmless but he wasn’t sure if Thor was convinced. They passed through the airy kitchen and out onto the back porch. The large garden grew all the way to the path, leaving just a small strip of grass.
Thor bounded off the steps and went to sniff the rose bushes that lined the fence. Violet sat in front of a large bucket of corn and offered him an ear. She whispered softly, “Wow, that’s a shocker. Did you know?”
Silas didn’t need to ask her what she meant. “Just found out today. I think my jaw might have dropped.”
She grinned as she stripped the leaves away. “Not to be ageist, but I just didn’t even consider the possibility of them falling in love. I mean, she must be at least seventy five.”
“I know. You’re sort of expecting it when two young people spend time together, but…” His words trailed away. They were young and spending time together. He cleared his throat. “They probably have a lot in common. Known each other for years. Old friends.” He was talking too fast.
Violet frowned into the bucket as she selected another ear. “They’re on the library board together but I wouldn’t have called them friends. In fact, I got the impression they didn’t really like each other. Once I saw them have an argument over whether electric cars would ever be a viable option for a farming community. It got pretty heated.”
“Maybe they were just intellectual disagreements and they got along as, you know, people.” He felt his face starting to warm. As people? He sounded like an idiot.
“I guess, but even that way, I never saw them hang out together like some folks do. Sometimes I think I see the same group of old people everywhere I go, Demi’s Delights, farmers market, Gas N Shop, Page Turners. I just never got the impression they could stand each other.” She reached for another ear of corn.
“Mr. Camden didn’t pass away until this year. Maybe they knew there was an attraction there but avoided each other. Or maybe it’s sort of a love-hate thing. All that animosity turned to passion. They say it’s two sides of the same coin.” Silas examined the kernels for strings of silk.
Violet didn’t say anything for a moment. “I guess,” she said softly.
He looked up, suddenly feeling the atmosphere had changed. He hadn’t meant his words to be directed at her, but now that he replayed them in his head, it sure sounded as if he hoped their animosity would turn to something much different. His face went hot. “I didn’t― I wasn’t trying to―”
“Oh, I know.” She waved a hand and laughed lightly. “I didn’t think you were talking about us. That would be ridiculous.”
Silas knew he should agree. He should laugh along with her about how absolutely incompatible they were, but he couldn’t. Were they really that much different from Ron and Elise? They hadn’t spent decades disliking each other. Sure, their past may be a lot more serious than a fight over electric cars, but there could still be hope for them. He wanted it to be true.
Maybe to make it true, he would have to do more than wish for a second chance. His heart pounded in his chest and his mouth went dry. Everything about the moment blazed in sharp relief. The corn in his hands, the certain slant of sunlight shining through the tree branches, the way her dark eyes watched him.
“I’m sorry for how I hurt you,” he said. The words came out much softer than he’d wanted.
For a moment, he was afraid Violet would repeat the moment they had first faced each other in Fire and Brimstone.
“I know,” she said.
“If I could go back and do everything differently, I would. It’s my biggest regret.”
“Thank you.” There was a sheen of unshed tears in her eyes.
He wanted to say more. The time they’d spent together had changed him in a way that was hard to describe. She made him want to examine his darkest moments, even though he’d spent years avoiding taking more than a surface responsibility for his actions. Violet made him see the world differently. He looked down at the corn in his hands and prayed for the right words, but none came. Tossing the ear into the pot, he reached for another. He needed to be grateful for what he had― the opportunity to apologize. That’s all he’d really wanted.
Well, that was all he had wanted when they’d first met. Things had changed.
“Thank you for the book. Again.” She glanced at him.
“You’ve read it before, I’m sure.”
She smiled. “Of course. I’m a huge fan of hers, but it’s really neat to have an edition that old. Makes my heart go pitter pat to see it on the shelf.” As if rethinking her words, she dropped her gaze and focused on the corn.
“Almost done out here?” Mrs. Tam asked from the back door.
“Last one,” Violet said, holding up the ear in her hand.
“Good, then maybe Silas can come reach this pot for me.” Mrs. Tam sighed. “Demetria put my favorite pot up high and I hate to disturb Ron and Elise. They look so cozy in the living room, all snuggled up―.”
“Go, go,” Violet said, laughing and pushing at Silas. “Quick, before we hear any more details.”
“On my way.” Silas was already on his feet. As he walked to the porch, he couldn’t help smiling back at Violet, his heart lifting with gratitude. After everything he’d done, all the people he’d hurt and the trouble he’d caused, Silas never expected another chance with Violet. But grace had repaired one more relationship, in a way he hadn’t even thought was possible.
Chapter Thirteen
“To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure
is the most perfect refreshment.”
― Jane Austen
“Elise isn’t feeling well. I think I’m gonna take her home.” Ron glanced back into the living room, his brow furrowed with worry.
Violet paused as she dried a dish pan and sneaked a look at Elise. She was sitting next to Silas on the couch, head back, eyes closed. Her face was pale. Silas was holding one of her hands, looking concerned.
“Of course, go right ahead.” Violet’s mom patted his arm. “I wore her out today. She’s always got so much energy, I forget how old she is.” She stopped as if realizing how her words sounded. “I mean, she’s not much older than I am but―”
“She’s a good twenty years older than you are, Shirley, and she’s five years younger than I am.” Ron smoothed his beard. “I’m just worried about her. She’s always had such spunk.”
“It was too hot in this kitchen today.” Her mother sighed. “I should have made her sit down more.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Ron said, but he didn’t sound convinced. “I’ll call you when I get her home.”
A few minutes later, they were gone. Silas joined them in the kitchen. He was very quiet, his expression somber. Picking up a kitchen towel, he began drying the pots on the sink.
“She looked really pale, Mom. Maybe she should have a check-up.” Violet put a casserole dish into the cabinet.
“Demi told her to take it easy today, but she just kept going. And she did have a doctor’s appointment a few days ago. She’s been feeling really tired.”
They all worked in silence for a few moments. Violet glanced at Silas. “You and Elise seem close,” she said.
“I broke into the Camden’s house and stole all of
her jewelry.” His voice was flat. “They got back from visiting their kids in California for Christmas and found everything was gone, including her grandmother’s wedding ring set and her father’s gold pocket watch.”
Violet realized her mouth was hanging open and closed it. “Did they get it all back?”
“Not everything. I hocked most of it in Twin Falls.”
“She’s forgiven you,” Violet’s mother said. “You shouldn’t talk about that anymore.”
Silas’s expression hardened. “But maybe I should. It shows what kind of a person she is. She’s welcomed me to church and sat next to me at the dinner table. She’s treated me like a friend, when all I did was cause her heartache.” He glanced at Violet. “I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but she gave it anyway.”
“True, she’s a wonderful woman. But don’t torture yourself over the past.” Her mother cocked her head as a shrill tone sounded from the next room. “That’s the phone. Ron couldn’t have gotten to Elise’s already, could he?” She left the dish in the soapy sink water and wiped her hands on a towel.
Violet felt frozen in place beside Silas, listening to the phone ring and her mother pick it up. She met his gaze and saw her own worry etched on his face. A faint murmur came from the living room and she didn’t know whether to come closer or to stay put. After a minute or so, her mother returned but this time she had her keys in her hand.
“I’m so sorry to run out on you but Ron thought Elise looked too sick to leave her by herself. He brought her to the emergency room.” Her mother’s movements were jerky with panic.
“Mom, let me drive you.” Violet started for the living room.
“No, no. I’ll be fine. We can’t all rush over there. I’ll go sit with Ron and let you know when they find out more.” She waved on her way out the door. “Don’t finish those dishes. Just leave them for me.”
As the screen door slammed shut, Violet wrapped her arms around herself. She couldn’t imagine the fear that Ron felt at that moment.
“Can I help you clean up?” Silas’s voice cut through her thoughts.
“No, I can do it. You don’t have to stay.” She turned to him, feeling lost.
He hesitated, as if trying to find the right words. “I’d like to help, if you don’t mind.”
She considered telling him to leave but Violet wanted the company. Not just any company, either. If he had been any number of other friends or neighbors, Violet would have shooed him out so she could clean up without having to hide her fear and sadness. But Silas was different. He cared for Elise as much as she did, maybe more. He understood she wasn’t going to be able to make happy small talk.
“Well, if you insist.” She smiled, feeling strangely shy.
They worked in silence for a while, Thor watching quietly from the corner of the kitchen.
“I get the feeling he hasn’t forgiven me yet,” Silas said, nodding at the dog.
“Hard to forget first impressions. Or so Mr. Darcy says.”
He frowned at the plate he was drying. “So, you’re a Pride and Prejudice fan?”
“Oh, not really. I probably butchered that line.” Violet shrugged. “I read mysteries, mostly.”
“Can I say I’m relieved?”
“Why, did you think I was going to start quoting whole scenes?”
“It just seems that so many women are looking for Mr. Darcy and I’m not Mr. Darcy.” He didn’t meet her eyes as he put a plate in the stack.
Her cheeks warmed. There were a few different ways she could interpret his words. He was worried about other women wanting Mr. Darcy and being disappointed with him…. or he was worried that she wanted Mr. Darcy and would be disappointed with him.
“What is that you don’t like about him?”
“Oh, it’s not that I don’t like him. We’re just different.” Silas still hadn’t looked at her.
“I don’t know about that.” Her heart was pounding. What was she doing?
“Because we’re both jerks?”
“No!” She reached out a soapy hand, touching his arm, desperate to make herself understood. “That’s not what I meant at all.”
“Okay. It’s just that Luke said girls like Darcy because he’s sort of a typical bad boy.” He was looking at her hand where it rested on his arm.
“You know I’ve never liked the bad boy type. Otherwise, I would have chased after you when we were teens,” she said, trying to lighten the tone of the conversation and failing miserably.
Bright blue eyes met her gaze. “I’m not sure if that’s good news for me or not.”
Violet thought about how she still hadn’t moved her hand and how warm his skin felt under her fingers. Her mouth was dry. “Why― why is that?”
A corner of his mouth tugged up. “I’m a reformed bad boy. Can a guy ever really shuck off that label?” He seemed closer than before.
Her gaze dropped to his mouth. She could barely think straight. Silas wasn’t the boy he used to be. That was one thing she knew for sure. “Yes.”
“Definitely good news,” he said softly.
He was just inches away. Everything faded into the background. The dripping faucet, the shrill sound of the phone, the pile of soapy dishes, the whir of the fan on the counter, even the overhead light reflecting on the kitchen window. She lifted her face to him, eyes falling closed. Again the phone rang but it sounded far away. Violet jerked backwards as it finally filtered into her consciousness. The phone!
“It might be about Elise.” Her voice sounded high and breathy. She rushed from the kitchen without looking back.
She snatched up the receiver. “Hello?”
“What’s going on? Why did it take you so long to answer?” Her mother sounded worried.
“Mom, I’m fine. Everything is fine here.” She decided not to say she’d been ten feet away and not heard the phone. Her mother would never believe that. “How’s Elise?”
There was a long sigh. “It’s her heart, honey.”
Violet tightened her grip on the receiver. “Heart?”
“She had an appointment last week and the doctor said there was a little arrhythmia and she needed to go to a cardiologist, but her heart just couldn’t wait.”
“How― how bad is it?”
“I’m not sure. They’re still doing tests.” Her mother sounded tired and sad.
“Can I bring you anything? How can I help?”
“Just pray, honey. I’ll call you when we know more.”
Violet said goodbye and slowly replaced the receiver. She turned to see Silas in the hallway, his eyes filled with worry.
“Her heart,” Violet said and was embarrassed to feel tears burn in her eyes. She didn’t know Elise that well. Not like her mother did. But she’d always been around. Family barbecues, Sunday services, Christmas caroling in the winter, helping out with the summer reading program. “Still running tests.” She could barely get the words out. “I’m sorry. You’re closer to her than I am.”
Silas wrapped his arms around her and for a moment, Violet forgot how complicated everything was between them. They were both hurting. She clung to him, letting herself give comfort and be comforted like two friends would. His heart beat was loud in her ear.
A low growl sounded behind Silas, and Violet peaked around to see Thor in the kitchen doorway. His teeth weren’t bared but his eyes were fixed on Silas.
“Uh oh,” Silas said, letting her go. His eyes were red. “I don’t think Thor forgives as easily as you do.”
Violet couldn’t help laughing a little.
“So, what can we do? Did your mom give you a list?” Silas still had a kitchen towel in one hand.
“She said to pray.”
He nodded, and took her hand. “And then after that, we should call the prayer chain.”
She stared at their linked hands for a moment and then smiled through her tears. She never could have predicted this day. An apology, a near kiss, a tender hug, and a prayer. All with Silas, the man she’d sworn to avoid.
Maybe it was time to imagine something greater than past hurts and awkward conversations. Maybe it was time to open her eyes to the possibilities right in front of her. As frightening as it was to let down her guard, Violet knew that mercy was calling to them both.
It was time to answer.
Chapter Fourteen
“If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
“Hey,” Silas said softly. He didn’t want to startle Ron as he slept on the hospital waiting room couch.
The older man lifted his head, eyes half-open and bleary with exhaustion, white hair sticking up on one side. He sat up and rubbed his eyes before putting on his glasses. “What time is it?”
“Four-thirty. I’m headed to Fire and Brimstone to put in their new counter bar but wanted to stop by and see if there was anything I could do.” Silas sat down next to Ron. “Arcadia Valley Community Hospital is one of the best in the state. I know they’ll take good care of her.”
Ron nodded but didn’t look encouraged. “The echocardiogram showed blocked arteries. They’re talking about triple bypass surgery.”
“When?”
“That’s the problem. She’s seventy-eight. And don’t tell her I told you or I’ll be in the doghouse.”
Silas wanted to smile but couldn’t quite manage it. “I don’t understand.”
He looked him in the eye. “Surgery has risks, and it’s a lot riskier the older you get. Open heart surgery isn’t having your gallbladder removed.”
“Oh.” Silas hadn’t considered that the doctors would hesitate to help Elise. “So, what are they going to do? Because they have to do something. They can’t just let her walk around with blocked arteries, can they?”
Ron shrugged, looking defeated. “They may just send her home with oxygen and put her on hospice.”
Hospice. A shudder went through Silas at the word. Memories flashed in his mind faster than he could stop them. His mother being spoon fed. The hospital bed in the living room. The smell of antiseptic and the ragged sounds of labored breathing in the dark.
Summer's Glory: Seasons of Faith Book One (Arcadia Valley Romance 2) Page 11
