Matt then found the boys and shepherded them back to where Allie was waiting. When he told her his problem, she seemed almost relieved.
“Don’t worry about Noah,” she said. “He has an essay he needs to finish, anyway.”
“I’ll be back to get him first thing in the morning.” He took the picnic basket from her hand and carried it toward her car. “In fact, I’ll take you all out for breakfast.”
“No.”
The cold north wind that whipped across the meadow was almost as cold as her voice.
Allie drew her jacket close. “Noah, put your coat on.” She turned to the twins. “You guys, too.”
Protesting, they shrugged into their jackets and headed for the car. When they reached her house, Matt parked and handed her the keys as the boys climbed out and raced to the backyard. He met her at the trunk to get the picnic basket, but she’d grabbed it already. He wanted to apologize, except he didn’t know what to say. Instead, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Can we talk sometime tomorrow?”
She glanced away and took a deep breath, then turned back to face him. He flinched against the pain in her eyes.
“We don’t have anything to talk about, Matt. Let’s just leave it at that.” Without another word, she sprinted for the house.
“Allie, wait. Please, we need to—”
His chest ached as she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
It was several moments before he trudged to his shiny convertible.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE MAYOR’S WIFE extended her hand to Matt. “The party couldn’t have been better. Those steaks were melt-in-your-mouth good, and I loved the black roses and that cane—it was the perfect touch.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Miller.” Matt’s business grin stretched a little wider. “When you called late this afternoon and told my assistant you wanted to tease your husband a little about turning fifty, Susie came up with the idea.”
Annette Miller’s gaze slid past Matt to Jessica as she joined them. Winthrop trailed just behind his daughter. “I understand you’ve snagged this young lady. I want to see the ring.”
Jessica slipped her arm through Matt’s as she held her hand out for Annette to admire her engagement ring. Since Jessica never mentioned she planned to attend the party, he’d been surprised to see her. But then, he’d barely talked to her all day.
“What a beautiful setting.” The older woman patted Jessica’s arm. “When is the big day?”
Jessica tilted her head toward him, and his chest tightened at the adoration in her eyes. The memory of Allie’s kiss seared his conscience. What had he been thinking this afternoon?
“We haven’t gotten that far, have we, Matt?”
He tugged at his collar as the air in the room turned stuffy.
“That’s something I’d like to know, as well.” William Winthrop slapped him on the back. “The house next door goes on the market next week, and I’d like to put a bid in for you two.”
Jessica pecked her father on the cheek. “Oh, Daddy! That’s so sweet, but we are not moving next door to you and Mother.” She turned to Matt. “Right?”
That was something he could definitely agree on. “Jessica did such a great job decorating the apartment, I hate to leave it.”
He tugged Jessica away from the others. “I’m returning to Cedar Grove first thing in the morning, so I need to get home. How about a cup of coffee in the shop downstairs to finish off the evening?”
She beamed at him. “Yes! I can tell you my plans for Noah next weekend.”
This probably wasn’t a good time to tell Jessica he hadn’t mentioned to Noah that they would be coming back to Memphis. Hadn’t mentioned it to Allie, either. The memory of her intensely blue eyes filled with hurt haunted him.
They were soon settled at a small table in a quiet corner on the lower floor. Bone-tired weariness set in as he sipped black coffee.
Jessica stirred the white chocolate latte she’d ordered. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I’m just tired.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is? You seemed reluctant when Annette asked about a wedding date.”
“I told you that I’m tired. I didn’t mean to return for the party until everything went crazy, and then I was surprised you were there with your father.”
“Mother had a headache, and I filled in.” She sipped her latte. “Have you thought about a date?”
His mind raced. “Valentine’s Day?”
She rolled her eyes. “Silly boy, I can’t plan a wedding in four weeks.”
“I meant next year.”
Jessica plopped the mug down with a thud. “You are kidding, right? Because I’m not waiting over a year to be married.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“You’re not kidding.” She eyed him. “Or maybe you don’t want to get married at all.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to get married...” Until this afternoon, he’d been so sure of what he wanted out of life. Wealth, success, Jessica. The three were intricately woven. How could one kiss throw everything into such disarray?
“It’s just that I want to get Bradford’s project and the other dozen parties for February out of the way before we even think about a date. And I’d like to get Noah situated.”
“If you’re going back tomorrow, why don’t I go with you?”
He shook his head. “Tomorrow isn’t a good day. We’re mostly going to be at the hospital, and you’d get bored. And next week he’ll be coming here.”
Her eyes lit up. “That’s right. Let me tell you what I have set up. We can take him to the zoo on Saturday and maybe even the Brooks Art Gallery. Then on Sunday we’ll go to the Pink Palace. It will be such fun.”
Yes, fun. And it would be. And maybe by then, he could sort out why he felt so empty when everything he’d ever wanted was within his grasp.
* * *
“SCOOT OVER, LUCAS.” Noah nudged the twin with his hip then flopped over on his back. Somehow Miss Allie had arranged for the twins to spend the night at her house, and her queen-size bed would be plenty big enough for the three of them if Lucas wouldn’t try to hog the whole thing. Patches mewed from her carrier. Maybe he’d get up and put the kitten in bed with them. Then he could go to sleep. On the other side of him, Logan sneezed. “You awake?” Noah asked.
“Yeah,” Logan whispered back. “I can’t sleep.”
“Me, neither.” Noah stared up at the shadows on the ceiling from the night-light. He wished he could’ve seen his mom today. “Why can’t you sleep?”
“I...I thought I saw my dad today.”
“Where?”
“When we were coming home from the picnic.”
Unease settled in Noah’s stomach. “You need to tell Miss Allie.”
Logan was quiet, and then he sighed. “I’m scared my dad’s going to try to get us.”
“Miss Allie won’t let him.”
“I don’t think she can stop him if that’s what he wants to do. I’m scared of him. Lucas is, too.”
“Why?”
Logan’s silence grew in the dark room. “I can’t tell.”
“Aw, come on, I won’t tell nobody.”
“Cross your heart, hope to die you won’t tell?”
Noah thought on that for a minute. It was serious stuff when you did that. He swallowed. “Cross my heart, hope to die.”
It was minutes before Logan spoke again, and Noah thought maybe he’d gone to sleep. “He beat our mama, and she got sick and died. Then he started hitting me and Lucas.”
A shiver ran through Noah. He and his mom had been in some bad places, but nothing like that. “Is that why he went to jail?”
“No. We never told anybody what he did. He got caught sell
ing drugs.”
“You have to tell Miss Allie. Or you’ll have to go when he comes to get you.”
“No. He said if we ever told, he’d kill us.”
The door creaked open, and a sliver of light slipped into the room. Maybe it was Logan’s dad. Noah pulled the blanket almost to his nose.
“You boys should be asleep. It’s after ten.”
Miss Allie. She almost scared him to death. “Yes, ma’am,” he said. He nudged Logan and whispered, “Tell her.”
“You promised,” Logan hissed back.
“Tell me what?” Miss Allie crossed the room to their bed.
Logan hesitated. “I...I don’t want to go back to the shelter. Miss Sarah is nice, but I like it here.” That wasn’t what Noah wanted him to tell.
The light shone on Miss Allie’s face as soft laughter warmed the whole room. “Why thank you, Logan. I wish you could stay here, too, but right now you have to live at the shelter. Today and tonight are special, but you’ll have to go back in the morning.”
“What if my dad comes to get us?”
“He can’t get you.” Miss Allie wasn’t laughing anymore.
Noah couldn’t stand it. “Miss Allie, Logan thought—”
“I’m sleepy now.” Logan turned on his side away from Noah. “G’night, Miss Allie.”
“Good night, boys.” At the door, she turned. “Noah, did you finish your essay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you want to share with me what you wrote about?”
“Why you shouldn’t use drugs.”
“Oh.” Miss Allie sounded sad, and then she shut the door, taking the light with her.
Logan rolled onto his back. “You can’t tell, you promised.”
“I know.” Heaviness wrapped Noah’s chest. He didn’t want to break his promise, but something told him he should.
* * *
ALLIE STOOD BY the door after she closed it. What a difference a week made. Her house had gone from empty to overflowing, even if it was for only one night. She padded to the kitchen and made a cup of cocoa. Taking it to the living room, she sank onto the couch and tucked her feet under her. Thoughts of Matt’s kisses fluttered her heart, and she shoved them away. Time to put Matt Jefferies where he belonged—in a box in the far recesses of her mind...and labeled “Jessica’s.”
The memory of his kiss burned the label away, and he wouldn’t stay in the box. Instead, he loomed in her mind, tantalizing her with his dark eyes and crooked smile. Her cell phone vibrated on the table beside her with an incoming message from Peter. Are you still up?
Allie hesitated before she answered. Because Matt hadn’t shown up Friday night they’d canceled their date to go dancing. Why couldn’t she fall in love with Peter? She stared at the phone. There was no reason she couldn’t. And he had all the qualities she wanted in a husband. He was kind. Caring. Persistent. Compassionate.
Things Matt had been once.
The message dinged again, and she dialed Peter’s number before she could change her mind. “Good evening, Mr. Elliott,” she said when he answered.
“Evening, Ms. Carson. I’m surprised you’re not in bed. Didn’t the boys wear you out?”
His rich baritone sent goose bumps over her skin. She could do this, redirect her feelings. An image of Matt popped in her mind. No, you can’t. She’d show him. “Definitely. I thought I’d take Logan and Lucas to church tomorrow. Would you like to go with us? Then perhaps come back to my house for a sandwich?”
“How about Noah?”
“Matt’s picking him up at nine.” If Matt showed up.
Peter suggested they all go to church, and then eat at Norma Jean’s. “After that we’ll drop the twins off at the shelter and maybe take in a movie.”
Did she want Peter to take her to Norma Jean’s? Silly thought. She hadn’t avoided the little diner after Matt left, why not go there with Peter? Maybe it was time to create new memories at Norma Jean’s with someone other than Matt. “That sounds great. See you in the morning.”
* * *
THE TWINS WERE on their best behavior at lunch the next day, although every time the diner door opened, Logan checked out who entered. Something was bothering him, but Allie couldn’t figure out what. When they finished eating, she practically had to pry him out of his seat to go play the video games in the back of the diner. She looked up and caught Peter watching her. “Do I have barbecue sauce on my face?” Allie rubbed her chin.
“No. Just thinking how good you are with the boys. You really should have some of your own.”
“Yeah, well...” She paused as the front door swung open and Noah and Matt walked into the diner. Of all the places in Cedar Grove, why did he have to bring Noah here? Noah spied them and made a straight line to their table. Matt stopped at the counter then walked slowly toward them.
“Hey, Miss Allie. I told Matt you were coming here with Mr. Elliott.” Noah glanced at Peter. “’Lo, Mr. Elliott.”
“Hey, Noah, how’s it going?” Peter tousled Noah’s hair, and the boy ducked away from him. “Hello, Matt.”
“Peter.”
Noah’s face wrinkled into a frown. “Where’s Lucas and Logan?”
Allie smoothed his hair. “They’re in the back, playing games.” The relief that flooded his face puzzled her. What was going on with these boys?
He looked up at his uncle. “Can I go play the games?”
“Sure. I’ll come get you when our sandwiches are ready. I ordered you a plain hamburger, no pickles. Is that good?”
Noah nodded and hurried to the game room.
“You want to join us?” Allie asked.
Matt looked from Allie to Peter. “We’re getting our burgers to-go and taking them to the house to eat. Noah hasn’t seen his mom yet so we’re going back to the hospital afterward. She was getting some sort of test earlier.”
“You can wait here,” Allie said. Peter helped her shift her chair over, then he left his arm draped across the back, touching her shoulder.
Matt sat stiffly in the chair, his face flushed. “Noah did say I could find you here. Do you know when you’ll be home?”
Allie glanced at Peter. “Couple of hours. Why?”
“Just wondering. Thought maybe we could discuss what’s going to happen when Mariah is discharged.”
“Sure.” Silence filled the dead air. “How did your dinner party go last night?” she said.
“Fine. The mayor’s wife said it was a success.”
Peter leaned back in his chair. “What is it you do again, Matt?”
“Director of food and beverage for the Winthrop Corporation. I handle everything from sales to developing the operating budget to overseeing events.”
“Sounds like an important job. Congratulations.” Peter offered his hand.
Matt hesitated briefly before he took the offered hand. “Thanks.”
The waitress behind the counter called out a number, and Matt glanced at his ticket. “That’s us.” He stood. “I’ll bring Noah home around four. Do you think you’ll be there by then?”
“I’ll make it a point to. Tell Mariah I’ll see her tomorrow.”
Heaviness settled in Allie’s heart as he walked away.
Peter shoved his chair back. “So, do you think Logan or Lucas would be interested in a game of Scrabble?”
She stared at him. Surely he wasn’t serious. He was. She did not look around as the door to the diner closed. “No, but they might join us in a game of Wii football.”
* * *
MATT PULLED OUT of the restaurant parking lot and glanced in the rearview mirror at Noah’s solemn face. Talking to the IRS was easier than connecting with his nephew. “I didn’t get a chance to ask yesterday, but have you had a good last few days at Miss Allie
’s?”
Noah nodded his head, but no verbal answer. So far today he’d been quieter than usual, like something bothered him. Or he just didn’t like Matt. Wouldn’t Peter love to know that. Then he could take away his nephew. Matt winced. If he admitted the truth, Peter was a decent man. Just not the man for Allie.
Noah kicked the back of his seat. “Are we almost there yet?”
“Two minutes. How’s school?”
Again, only a shrug. Matt almost asked if the cat had his tongue, but memories of adults saying that to him when he was a kid dried up the words. “How about Patches? Does she like it at Allie’s?”
Finally. A smile.
“She sleeps with me.” Noah unbuckled his seat belt as Matt parked beside the house. “After we eat, can we throw the football around some?”
Matt’s heart warmed that he actually suggested doing something. “You bet. Then we’ll go see your mom.”
In the house, Matt put their sandwiches on the red Formica table. This was the one place in the world he missed his mom the most.
“What’s this?” Noah traced his finger over initials Matt had carved into the table.
“Uh, something that got me into a lot of trouble.”
“You mean you get into trouble with people besides Miss Allie?”
“Sometimes. This particular time I got a Case knife for my birthday.” He couldn’t remember who gave it to him, only that his mother was not pleased. “It made perfect sense to me to carve my initials in our table. Unfortunately, it didn’t make sense to my mom.”
Noah leaned toward him. “Did you get punished?”
“Oh, yeah, but you know what the worst part was? My mom crying because I’d ruined her new table.”
“I know. I hate it when I make my mom cry. What’d you do after that?”
“There was nothing I could do except to buy her a new table, and you can see I didn’t do that. But she forgave me. And took my knife away. And grounded me. I hated being grounded.”
Noah’s eyes softened and he patted Matt’s arm. “I get it. Being grounded is tough.”
If Matt could, he’d freeze this moment, but it was gone too quickly.
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