Catching Serenity (15 page)

T
ears slipped down her cheeks. When he dug the ever-present hanky from his pants, she took it from him without hesitation. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her face. “I know I sound selfish to you, but especially when Liam died, I needed Mama more than ever before in my life.” A sob escaped. “I still do.”

Reaching across the table, Clinton grabbed her hand and held on tight.
“One of these days, you’ll have your answers. These things always have a way of working themselves out one way or the other.”

Serenity withdrew her hand, her eyes wide.
“What do you mean? What about
your
answers? You lost your wife. Don’t you want to know what happened?” She stared at him, wide-eyed and dabbed beneath her eyes. He seemed too calm, too accepting. “Dad, do you think Mama’s alive?”

Slumping back in his chair, he remained silent. He also avoided her eyes. She waited him out. A couple of times he seemed ready to say something, opening his mouth but then closing it again.
“I’m not sure what to think anymore, girl.”

For now, she
’d accept those words. But something still didn’t ring quite right. “Do you know anything about the note someone from Croisette Shores mailed to me in Atlanta?”

“
What note?” The obvious surprise in his expression told her he knew nothing.

“
Hang on. I’ll show you.” Opening her purse, she retrieved the paper, unfolded it and handed it to him as she sat in her chair again. The letters were starting to fade, but it was still legible. “Do you recognize the handwriting?”

Clinton shook his head.
“Can’t say as I do. When did you get this?”

“
Six weeks before I moved back home.”

His eyes met hers.
“This note is why you came back?”

“
No, but it was the catalyst. Getting it confirmed in my mind it was time to finally come back home. I’d been thinking about it, anyway.”

“
What do you make of it?” Letting the note fall to the table, he stared at it.

“
I don’t know any more now than I did when I first got it. At first, I thought maybe you’d sent it, but then I figured out pretty quickly you didn’t. Then I thought Charlie sent it. As you can see, it’s plain paper without a watermark or anything distinguishing to go on other than the handwriting. I even smelled it, thinking it might hold the scent of its sender, but nothing. Based on the timing, I can’t help but wonder if the person who sent it might have known I’d just finished my studies and might be contemplating coming back home. Truthfully? Other than gossiping about me, there’s only a handful of people who might know or care where I was in the world or what I was doing.”

“
You really believe that, girl?” He snorted and shook his head.

“
More or less…yes.”

Returning his gaze to her, her father stared her down.
“You broke hearts when you left town. And I’m not just talking about mine.” His eyes grew moist, and it surprised her. “When you left, you took away the sunshine.
My
sunshine. And now, I can’t help thinking you might pick up and leave again.” He glanced away again and sniffed.

She sat stunned, staring at her father.
“Dad, look at me.” Crossing both arms on the table, Serenity waited until he moved his gaze back to hers. The vulnerability in his dark eyes could have blown her over. “I told you this is my home,” she said, lowering her voice. “I’m not planning on going anywhere. No matter what happened here in the past, I don’t hold it against this town. I don’t belong anywhere else. Croisette Shores is part of me, and it’s in my blood. I needed to get away for a while. It was a good move for me personally, and I’ll never regret coming back. But I can’t help but wonder—if Mama’s still out there somewhere—if
she
feels the same way. Do you think she’ll ever come back?”

S
erenity couldn’t stand it when her father avoided her questions, and she liked it less when he wouldn’t look her in the eye, like now. Avoidance in general seemed second nature with him since she’d moved back home. Somehow she’d break through the fortress he’d built around his emotions if she had to drag him to see Jackson for counseling sessions.

Finally, he grunted.
“Elise loves you more than anything, Serenity. If nothing else, believe
that
.”

Why
did
he always speak about her in present tense? Not to mention he hadn’t answered her direct question. “If that’s true, then how could she leave us? Answer that one, please.”

Shaking his head, Clinton pushed his chair away from the table
and rose to his feet. He carried the coffee cup and plate to the sink. Planting both hands on the counter, he lowered his head.

“
Fine,” she said, following suit. “If you won’t answer, then I’ll leave. After all, it’s the thing to do in this family.” She put her plate on the counter beside him and grabbed her purse. Pausing at the door, she turned and walked back to where he still stood by the sink, staring out the window. “I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow. Do me a favor, though.”

“
What’s that?”

Serenity
placed her hand on his arm. It lacked the muscle definition he used to have, and he was much too thin. “Do you ever pray? Prayer and belief in God isn’t a crutch, and it’s helped me get through the not knowing whether Mama’s alive or dead.”

“
Is that a fact? Has God given you any answers, girl?” He shook his head. “You sound like Elise with all your talk of God.” His voice held more resignation than scorn.

“
I don’t have any answers yet, Dad, but I’ve learned one truth. He’s
your
God every bit as He’s mine. You just have to believe that and reach out to Him. Meet Him halfway. My faith in His mercy and grace has given me the strength to face every single day the last few years. Days when I didn’t want to get out of bed and go on any more. He’s helped me face my fears and stare them down.” Planting a soft kiss on his cheek, she whispered against his weathered cheek, “I came home for you, too, you know. We
need
each other. Now more than ever, Dad.”

Grabbing her hand, he held on tight.
“Yeah, we do, girl. We do.”

~
CHAPTER 15~

T
wenty minutes into their tour of The Summer Palace on Friday morning, Serenity heard a phone ringing. Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, Charlie mouthed to her that it was Maya’s school. He covered his ear with his hand and walked to a quiet corner and listened, nodding his head every few seconds and speaking in low tones. Coming back a few minutes later, he spoke with Jackson. With a small wave and a nod, he departed.

Jackson stared at the ceiling
and crossed his arms over his chest. “Would you look at those moldings?”

Her laughter prompted several tourists in the immediate vicinity to
glance their way. “Now, see what you’ve done, troublemaker? Where’d Charlie go?”

“
Hey, you’re the one causing the disruption,” Jackson said under his breath, steering her toward a large painting. “I’m your client, so be nice to me, please. In case you’re thinking this morning was a set-up and this was some elaborate scheme to get you here under false pretenses, that really
was
a call from Maya’s school.” He slanted his gaze to hers as if issuing a nonverbal challenge to prove him wrong.

Her smile sobered.
“In that case, I hope everything’s okay.”

“
Charlie said Maya has a stomach ache. Since her mom and dad both work, he’s the emergency contact.” Sounded like he knew the family pretty well already. They lagged behind the others, a tour group sporting Swiss Air tote bags strapped across their chests. Jackson faced her with an indefinable expression. “Did Charlie ever tell you what your dad did for his son?”

Serenity turned from her study of the layout of the
sitting room. “My dad? For Ray?”

“
Ray used to work part-time at a local elementary school as a janitor after hours to help pay his way through college and to make extra money so his wife could stay home with Maya. I don’t know all the details, but the school fired him for allegedly stealing a computer. From what Charlie said, Clinton found out who the real culprit was and hauled him into the police.”

That
revelation stopped her in her tracks. She tucked a strand of hair behind one ear and shook her head. “When did this happen? I wonder why no one told me.”

“
About three years ago, I think. From what I know of your dad, he didn’t think it was anything extraordinary. He made such a stink about the firing that it ended up going all the way to the school board. They offered Ray his job back, but he said no. He’d won the victory. My point being your dad is a hero to Charlie and his family.”

“
Mama and Dad always believed in fighting for equality, racial and otherwise,” she said. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Do you know how Dad found out who the true culprit was?”

“
Charlie said Clinton overheard some guys talking at McHenry’s right after Ray was fired. They were joking around and one of the kids was bragging about what he’d gotten away with. Not to change the subject, but I’m growing rather fond of that light fixture,” Jackson said, pointing to a hurricane-style lamp. “Do you think we can find one?”

“
I’m sure we can find a reproduction. It’s a fairly popular design.” Taking out her phone, Serenity snapped a photo, hoping it wasn’t against the rules. They talked about a few more fixtures in the room and she made notes about Jackson’s preferences for rugs. If all her clients were as forthcoming as Jackson about what they liked and didn’t like, it’d make her job much easier. Trying to second guess or not having much to go on could make for a difficult assignment. She’d already found that with a couple more new clients, but each and every client was a blessing, and no doubt they’d all teach her something valuable.

“
What made you decide to go into interior decorating?” Jackson asked as she tucked her phone back in her purse.

“
I’ve always been fascinated by colors, textures and designs. How they work solo or blended.” She smiled. “When you think about it, I’m sort of a salesperson, but in the nicest sense of the word. I make recommendations and tell people what I believe works or doesn’t. Based on my study of design techniques and applications, of course. Then it’s up to them to make their own decision and either accept or reject my ideas.”

“
You’re selling me on it all right now,” he said, returning her smile.

“
Stop flirting.”

“
Can’t help it,” he said. “Seriously, you do a great job. I guess we’d better go rejoin Swiss Air. Thanks for all the good suggestions, though. Next field trip, we’ll go to one of the art galleries down by the shore to look at some of the watercolors. See if we can’t find some nice scenes of Croisette Shores for the walls.”

A young, attractive woman who looked to be of Spanish descent stood on the peripheral of the tour group as they rejoined them in a hallway leading to the bedroom wing.
“You two, um, how do you say...make a...beautiful couple.” Her eyes lingered on Jackson a bit too long.

“
Oh, we’re not a couple,” Jackson said, his offhand manner irritating her. “She’s just my interior decorator and we’re here to look at chair rails and moldings.” He nodded in approval at the ornate ceiling. “Those French royals had the right idea. Overstated opulence. Write that down,” he said to Serenity, waving his hand at her in a dismissive way. If he hadn’t winked when he said it, she might have swatted him.
Just my interior decorator?
She bristled.

Danny had been handsome in a charming, bad boy way, yet a part of her always wondered if she could trust him. But Jackson? Well, he was solid and good with that hint of naughtiness she found irresistible. Like the little boy you couldn
’t stay mad at for long because you knew beneath the mischievousness was a decent and honorable soul.

The woman gave
them a curious look before moving on. Serenity exchanged amused glances with Jackson as he ushered her into the adjoining room where the tour group gathered around the guide. “You realize you played right into that woman’s hands,” she whispered, leaning close. My, he smelled great. Danny never would wear cologne, even when she hinted she liked it.

“
How so?”

“
Tell me something. How long have you been oblivious of your effect on women?”

He cleared his throat.
“You don’t think she caught my wink, for
you
?”

“
Even if she did, you told her we’re not a couple. It’s called mixed signals. Look, Jackson, I don’t want to cramp your style. If you want to ask out a woman, then please go right ahead—”

Catching the chastising glance from the tour guide, Jackson placed a light hand on her elbow and steered her back
out into the hallway. “I think it’s time to get something straight.”

“
Okay.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“
I’m not interested in dating that woman or anyone else.”

“
Oh.”

With one finger, he tipped her chin.
“Want to know why?”

“
I’m not sure.”

With a low
chuckle deep in his throat, he released his hold on her. “If anything, I want a solid, lasting relationship, and not just a date here and there. I’ve done enough of it, and I’m over it.”

“
Good to know.”

“
I thought you’d be happy about that.”

She glanced up at him.
“Why would you think that?”
Silly girl, asking him a leading question when you know the answer.
Her only excuse was she wanted to hear Jackson say the words. From his lips straight to her heart.

He stopped and turned to face her.
“All right. Since you apparently want me to spell it out for you… If I have a relationship with
anyone
, hopefully it will be with the woman standing in front of me now.” Stepping closer, he lowered his voice. “But I know she’s not ready. And, for the record, I can be a patient man when I need to be, believe it or not.”

Not giving her time to respond,
Jackson nodded to the back patio and garden area. “Want to go check out the gardens? It might give us some landscaping ideas for the playground.”

Unable to speak, she motioned for him to lead the way.

After they’d walked through the gardens for a full twenty minutes, trading occasional comments, Serenity knew it was time to show Jackson the note
.
He was right. She couldn’t think about a dating relationship. If nothing else, by sharing it with him, he’d know she trusted him. She sensed it’d be important to him. Reaching into her purse, Serenity pulled out the note.

“
I need to show you something. It’s a note I received in Atlanta six weeks before moving back home. It was postmarked from here and mailed two days before I got it.” Unfolding the slip of paper, she handed it to him. “It’s getting sort of faded, but you can still read it.”

Taking it from her, he appeared puzzled.
He read it out loud, slowly, as though digesting the message before refolding it and handing it back to her. His brow creased and he sat on a huge rock along the pathway. “Interesting. Any theories on who sent it?”

Her pulse skipped a beat. What if no one had told Jackson about Danny and Liam? She felt the blood rush to her head. What had she done?
Calm down.
Nothing in the note indicated there was anything other than her mother’s disappearance to solve. For all she knew, someone might have already spilled her secrets. Still, she didn’t think so. Knowing Jackson, he would have asked her about them. Wanted to discuss her feelings about it.

Walking to the end of the walkway, she looked out over the ocean. Perhaps it was fitting
that a cool breeze had kicked in and the clouds had darkened in the last few minutes alone. Any minute, there’d be the rumble of thunder.

“
At first, I thought Dad sent it even though it’s not his handwriting. Based on something he said, I realized he wasn’t the one. Then I wondered if Mama could actually have sent it. Of course, the big ‘if’ in that statement would be if she’s still alive. For one thing, it’s not Mama’s handwriting. If she
did
send it, then someone else wrote it.”

“
How about Deidre?” he asked.

That made her smile.
“Impossible. Besides, she wouldn’t bother with a note. She’d just call and order me to come home.” A smile curved her lips. “As it was, she’d been begging me to come back as soon as I finished my degrees.”

“
Degrees plural?” Jackson’s tone conveyed a mixture of surprise and admiration.

“
I figured business administration might be a nice complement for decorating.”

“
You’re as smart as you are beautiful. Then again, I already knew that.” He gave her a crooked grin. “Anyone else you can think of who might have sent the note?”

Serenity discussed her ideas with Jackson,
same as she’d done with Deidre.

“
Playing devil’s advocate for a minute,” he said, “have you ever seen Charlie’s handwriting?”

“
I don’t think so. If I did, I wouldn’t recognize it now, anyway.”