Nobody’s Child (New Life Tabernacle Series Book 1) (13 page)

T
hough Makayla was
able to get Robin out of New Life and to the car before Trey approached them, it gave her little relief. All she’d done was delay the inevitable and she knew it. But Trey was the least of her worries.

She’d been calling and texting Bree at every available opportunity for the past three days, to no avail.

Makayla tried to persuade herself not to worry. She argued there was a reasonable explanation. She told herself Bree was just out of town for the weekend. Or perhaps she’d misplaced or lost her phone.

But no matter how many excuses Makayla manufactured, she couldn’t convince herself Bree’s silence was anything other than intentional. Despite that, Makayla wasn’t willing to give in and face it. Not yet. There had to be a way to stop the on-air ambush before Robin arrived for the interview in the morning.

Whatever Makayla did, she had to do it soon. And not just for Robin’s sake. The stress and pressure bearing down on her was taking its toll. She hadn’t slept a full night since Thursday. She was out of food at her apartment, but had no plans to ask Robin to stop at the grocery store. What was the point? She hadn’t had an appetite for days.

"What's the matter?"

Robin glanced at Makayla for a second before looking back at the road.

Makayla bit her lip. What was she supposed to say? Some preacher lady I don't even know just called me out and I'm feeling guilty because you're about to walk into a disaster tomorrow, courtesy of me?

"Nothing."

"Could've fooled me. Been staring out that window since we got in the car. Not a peep, either." Robin turned off Sirius and set her sunglasses on top of her head. "You think I haven't figured it out?"

Makayla looked at Robin, her heart caught mid beat.

"You're mad I made you get up in front of all those people, aren’t you?”

Relief swept over Makayla and she released the breath she was holding.

“I don’t even know why you’re asking. I can tell by the look on your face you think it’s funny.”

Robin pulled her lips in, utterly failing to hide her smile.

"I looked dumb."

"You did not look dumb."

"I did," Makayla said, folding her arms. "Christenings are for babies."

"Aww. You are a baby. You're
my
baby." She reached over and pinched her cheek.

Makayla turned her head to hide the smile that pulled at her lips. "Haha. You're so hilarious."

"My, my, my…” Robin shook her head. "That evangelist sure did preach, didn't she?"

Makayla arched an eyebrow and shrugged. "I guess."

"You guess? Were we at the same service?"

“She wasn’t being realistic, if you ask me.”

"Okay, now I know we must’ve been at two different services, because I don't even know what you're talking about, little girl."

Makayla tugged at her seatbelt and turned toward Robin. "All that talk about forgiveness? That no matter how bad it is, if somebody wrongs you, you should forgive them? I'm sorry. That makes no sense."

"God forgave us our sins and we, in turn, forgive others."

"I ain't God."

Robin smiled. “Anything can be forgiven. I know that for a fact. And ‘forgiven’ doesn’t mean ‘forgotten’. Nobody’s saying you have to pretend like it never happened. And God knows it isn’t easy, but it is possible."

"But if you let them get away with it, then you’re saying it's okay. That don’t seem right.“

"Who says they're getting away with it? God’s not blind. Let Him handle it. That’s not my job. I don't need to let anger and revenge eat me up. That's only hurting me."

Makayla shook her head. Unbelievable. It was like it was Crazy Day and everyone decided to be certifiable.

"So you're telling me I could go out tomorrow and purposely ruin your reputation, destroy your career, wreck your entire life and you'd forgive me? Just because you're supposed to?"

Makayla knew Robin would say yes. She had to after the day’s sermon and her own speech on forgiveness.

"Yes. Yes, I would. Not just because I'm supposed to. I'd want to. Because I love you."

Tears blurred Makayla’s vision and she turned to the window so Robin wouldn’t see her attempt to blink them away.

What bothered her the most was, she knew Robin was telling the truth. At least, she knew Robin
believed
she was telling the truth. It was easy to claim love and forgiveness when the situation was hypothetical. Reality was a lot harsher.

Robin turned the key in the ignition and reached behind Makayla's seat to get her handbag off the floor. Makayla hadn't even realized the car had stopped.

"Get out the car, baby girl. It's time to celebrate."

Makayla looked out her window at the pristine, tree-lined street and the stately homes that dotted the large, manicured winter lawns. It looked like she’d just been dropped in the middle of a movie location.

She looked at Robin, who’d gotten out of the car and was about to close the door.

“Where are we?”

Robin leaned in the open car door and smiled. “Home.”

T
o Makayla
, it was like stepping into the pages of one of the home and garden magazines she’d sold to customers at the gas station.

Robin's house was gorgeous.

It was the absolute opposite of every home Makayla had ever been in. Open and airy. Brand-new looking. Expensive.

Floor-to-ceiling windows let in light from all directions. Fragrant bouquets of fresh flowers on the tables made the space feel like mid-spring instead of late fall. Comfy, overstuffed chairs surrounded a round, mahogany coffee table. Richly colored rugs covered sections of the satin-finished hardwood floors.

And that was just what could be seen from the entryway.

Makayla stood in the archway to the great room, mouth open, looking every bit the "country mouse."

Robin set her handbag, hat and keys on the entryway table and came up beside her. "I take it you approve?"

Makayla blinked. “Well… It's all right,” she said, shrugging.

Robin laughed and grasped her forearm.

"Well, maybe I can impress you with what I've got upstairs."

As they ascended the grand staircase, Makayla let her hand glide along the polished wood banister that matched the floors.

She rarely saw neighborhoods that had houses like this. She’d certainly never been inside one. She never wanted to leave.

She followed Robin along a skylight lit hallway, where they stopped in front of a door at the very end. Robin clasped her hands, clearly about to explode with excitement.

"Now look, if you don't like it, just say so. We can start over. No problem."

Since Makayla had no clue what she was talking about, she offered no argument.

"Okay."

Robin put her hand on the doorknob.

"Ready?"

Makayla was amused at the sheer depth of Robin's giddiness. "Sure."

Robin turned the knob and let the door gently swing open.

"I hope you like it."

Makayla’s hands flew to her mouth when she looked through the door. For a moment, she actually considered pinching herself. With the encouragement of a gentle nudge on her back from Robin, she entered the room.

In the middle of the space was a queen-size bed with the kind of abundant and luxurious bedding she’d only seen in fancy hotel ads. The duvet and various throw pillows were covered in high luster ivory, royal blue, purple and gold fabrics.

The rolled top tufted headboard was in an ivory fabric that shimmered under the light from the teardrop chandelier hanging above. Over the headboard, on an area of wall framed out by crown moulding, was an Impressionist style oil painting of a majestic peacock.

Another wall was taken up by two huge built-in bookcases. Between them was a large bay window with a royal blue, upholstered window seat.

Everywhere Makayla turned, there was something even more incredible to see, but her absolute favorite was the eggplant purple armchair by the door. In the corner of its seat was nestled a gold, mini rosette pillow. It was as far as one could get from a rusty, old folding chair.

Robin came up behind her and whispered in her ear. “What do you think?"

Makayla had to fish for the words for a few moments before anything resembling a sentence made its way out.

"Is this where I'm sleeping tonight?"

Robin dropped her head to the side and cocked one eyebrow.

"No. I'm putting you out in the garage! Of course, this is where you’re sleeping tonight. Actually…”

She took Makayla's hand and led her to the bed where they sat. "I have an idea I want to run by you. But keep in mind, it's only an idea. If you're not comfortable with it or feel like I'm invading your space, just say so and I'll never mention it again, okay?"

Makayla nodded.

“Well, I know your winter break is coming up and, without classes to attend, you don't really need to be so close to campus. At least, not until the next term starts, anyway. And well, as you can see," she said, motioning around the room, "I have plenty of space. So… What if you spent your break here?"

Makayla felt her heart stop.

"And then, when school starts back up, you can go back to your apartment. Or if you wanted…" Robin lifted one shoulder in a half shrug and slightly squinted her eyes. "You could just stay?"

Everything Makayla had forgotten since walking into the house—the radio interview, her lies about college, the pamphlet she found and what it meant—came rushing back. A wave of vertigo swept over her and she leaned back, afraid she'd fall off the edge of the bed.

Robin misinterpreted her movement away as discomfort and exhaled. "I'm being presumptuous, aren't I?"

She stood, tugging at the hem of her jacket. "You're probably going home for the holidays, aren't you?" She shook her head and went to the door. "Just pretend I didn't say any of that." She waved her hands in the air. "I'll go get dinner started. Come down when you're ready."

She turned and quickly made for the door. Makayla couldn’t stand to see her so embarrassed. Makayla was the one who should’ve been hiding her face. She’d already told Robin so many lies. What was one more? Especially if it made her feel better?

"Robin?"

She peeked back in from the hallway.

"You—you aren’t being—whatever it was you said."

Robin smiled. "Presumptuous?"

"Yeah, that. You aren’t being presumptuous. I don't really have any plans for the holidays. At all. So since you do have the room, maybe I could spend them with you."

Robin leaned her head against the doorframe.

"I'd like that. I'd like that very much."

"I just have one question."

“Okay," Robin said, coming back into the room. "Shoot."

"Well, last time I hung out with Mr. Jones, he warned me never to eat your cooking. I promised him I’d speak up if I ever felt unsafe.”

Robin pursed her lips together in an effort to suppress her smile.

"Is that right?"

Makayla feigned complete innocence and nodded.

"Well," Robin said, putting her hand on her hip. "For your information, it's catered. My ‘cooking’ this afternoon consists of turning on the oven and letting the food heat to the required temperature. You feel better?”

Makayla put her hand on her chest and lowered her head in mock relief. ”I do.”

“Uh huh…” Robin grabbed the gold rosette pillow from the chair and tossed it at Makayla. Leaving the room, she called out, “You may end up in that garage yet, little girl!"

Makayla went to the door and listened. She waited until she was sure Robin was downstairs and completely out of earshot. Quietly, she closed the door and took out her phone.

Maybe it wasn’t too late to turn the lies into truth. All she had to do was make some changes. She could enroll in school. She could keep the secret and just be Robin’s goddaughter. She’d figure out what to tell Trey. And maybe, just maybe, everything could stay as it was.

But first, she had to get a hold of Bree.

It can be fixed. I still have time…

Time to stop what was turning out to be the biggest mistake of her life.

I
t wasn’t supposed
to feel like this…

In just a few hours, Makayla would finally have everything she’d wanted for the past five years. She will have decimated a woman's life, publicly humiliated her before thousands and ruined her reputation forever.

It would be the culmination of years of hard work. Years of carefully planning every detail, devoting all her time and meager resources, anticipating every possible outcome.

And now her work was finished.

She must have imagined the moment a thousand times. It was her food and water. Sometimes the only thing that kept her going when all she wanted to do was die.

What she hadn't imagined, however, was that on the eve of her revenge being fulfilled, the woman whom she'd set out to destroy, the woman she thought she'd hate until the day she died—that very woman—would hand her a gift.

"Open it."

Robin slid the small rectangle box across the mahogany and leather coffee table. She was so full of excited anticipation, she could hardly sit still.

”What is it?"

Robin cocked her head to the side and grinned. "Do you really think I went through all the trouble of wrapping it, only to tell you what's inside? You better get to tearing that paper, girl!"

Makayla hesitated. If Robin knew what was coming... If she had any idea what awaited her in the morning...

Suddenly, Makayla's mouth felt so dry, she could hardly swallow. She took a long drink from her glass of lemonade.

"You've already done so much for me. Too much. I can't accept this."

For a moment, Robin’s smile faded. Then, gently touching Makayla's hand with her own, she said, "But that’s what today was all about." She held up the box. "This is what parents do. They give to their children. I could never do too much for you, baby. I thought you understood that."

That was another thing Makayla had never imagined: Robin being so…good.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this…

Robin set the box down in front of Makayla again and watched her, her eyes sparkling with expectation.

Makayla made herself look at the box. The wrapping paper was an intricate foil stamp design that reflected all the light sources in the room. A beautiful satin ribbon was wrapped around the box and tied into an intricate bow. Makayla reached out and touched the ribbon with the tips of her fingers, but couldn't bring herself to do any more than that.

''Well?"

When Makayla didn't respond, Robin shook her head and laughed. "I see the next thing we need to work on is your receiving.''

She picked up the box and pulled at one of the bow's tails. Within seconds, she’d torn through the paper and opened the box it concealed. Robin took out the glittering platinum bracelet inside and put it on Makayla's wrist.

"There.” She leaned in to admire it. “Perfect."

All Makayla could do was think about how much she wished there was a rock big enough for her to crawl under.

"Look," Robin said, turning the platinum and diamond studded heart over so Makayla could see the inscription on the back. "It's today's date. To commemorate the christening. When you look at it, I want you to know what this day means to me. What
you
mean to me."

A wave of nausea passed over Makayla and she clenched her jaw and held her breath. Seeing the pained look on her face, Robin pressed her lips together.

"Don't you like it?"

Makayla attempted a smile and nodded.

“Sure. Yeah. I love it. I just—could you give me a minute?"

Without waiting for a response, Makayla jumped up and rushed out of the room. Running down the hallway, she headed straight to the bathroom.

Shutting the door behind her, she took out her mobile phone and dialed the same number she'd been calling all evening.

"Please, please..."

If only someone would pick up, she’d be able to stop the wrecking ball set to level Robin's life.

As she waited, she did something she hadn't done in over five years—she prayed.

"
M
akayla
?”

Makayla flinched. She looked at Robin, sitting on the other end of the couch, remote in hand. Makayla saw she’d paused the DVR playback.

"Girl, what's wrong with you?"

I'm thinking about how much you’ll hate me this time tomorrow.

"Nothing."

Robin gave her a sidelong glance. “Makayla.”

Makayla didn't have any defense, so she remained silent, chewing on her lip. Robin watched her, eyes narrowed.

“Have I done or said something?”

"Why would you think that?"

"Well,” Robin said, folding and tucking her legs under her. "Let's see… At dinner, you barely said more than two words. After you got your christening gift, you hid in the bathroom for I don't know how long. For most of the evening, you've been sitting about as far away from me as humanly possible. And every time I try to talk to you, it’s like you’re million miles away."

"Sorry."

"No, no, no. You don't have to be sorry. Just— Talk to me. Something's obviously bothering you. Maybe I can help."

For a split second, it seemed the obvious solution. To tell her. Tell her everything. Maybe it would be okay. Maybe it’d even be like Makayla had dreamed when she was a girl. That moment when she finally got to look into her mother's eyes, feel the touch of her hand across her face. It was the hope she’d laid her head on every night as she went to sleep. The one and only comfort she’d had to cling to when Kim went into one of her rages or the kids at school whispered about all she didn’t have.

This could very well be that moment.

Or it could be that other thing. The thing she dreaded, expected and, truthfully, deserved.

Rejection.

What were the chances it’d be anything else? The odds certainly weren’t in her favor. The way Robin looked at her? That would change. Instead of beloved goddaughter, she’d see the face of the man who had hurt her. And Makayla was pretty sure she'd rather die than see that reflected in Robin’s eyes.

And then there was the rest of it. The complete and total mess Makayla had stirred up for the interview in the morning. She’d thought she could fix it. She’d really believed it was possible. Now that she knew it wasn’t, she felt numb.

No. She couldn't tell the truth. She couldn't say a word. All she could do was try to memorize every moment of the evening because after tomorrow, memories would be all she had left.

"Makayla…” Robin's voice was soft. "I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but just in case, I want to clear the air and apologize—”

"For what?
You
haven’t done any—“ Makayla's voice broke and she didn't trust herself to finish the sentence.

Robin moved closer and rested her hand on Makayla's shoulder.

"That day at your apartment, when I brought up your parents, I need you to know it wasn’t my intention to embarrass you. If I’d had any idea what a painful subject it was… I never meant to hurt you. You know that, right?"

Makayla nodded, but couldn't bring herself to look at Robin as she did.

"And if I ever say or do anything that makes you feel that way, please, tell me. If something is bothering you, even if that ‘something’ is me, you can say so. Understand?"

Again, Makayla kept her head down, but nodded.

Robin sighed and lifted Makayla's chin so she could look her in her eyes. "Little girl, little girl. What am I gonna do with you?"

She grabbed a nearby throw pillow, put it on her lap and patted it.

"Come on."

Using the hand still on Makayla's shoulder, she guided her down until her head was resting on the pillow.

She stroked her hair and said, “Right now we're just gonna veg out and watch some of that atrocious reality TV you love and whatever is bothering you won't seem so bad come tomorrow morning." She leaned over and kissed Makayla on the cheek. "I promise."