Read The Heart Remembers Online

Authors: Irene Hannon

The Heart Remembers (9 page)

BOOK: The Heart Remembers
12.11Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Maggie took a moment to settle into an adjacent wicker chair, trying to decide how to answer the older woman's question. Millicent had become almost part of the family through the years, her annual two-week visits as predictable as the tides. She'd retired ten years before from a prestigious
position in publishing, and she had no family to speak of, as far as Maggie knew. But although she and Millicent had shared many a cup of tea and discussed everything from philosophy to the latest books and plays, they never talked about more personal matters. For some reason though, Maggie felt comfortable confiding in her about Jake.

“Jake is…an old friend. He's recently moved to this area, and our paths just happened to cross.”

Millicent eyed her shrewdly. “A friend, eh? His interest seemed somehow more than friendly to me.”

Maggie blushed. Millicent might be old in body, but her mind was still as sharp and perceptive as someone half her age.

“To be honest, Millicent, I'm not sure what his interest is. The fact is, we were…well, we were engaged once, many years ago.”

“My dear, I had no idea!” Millicent laid her hand on the younger woman's arm. “I always suspected there was an unhappy romance in your past, but I never wanted to pry.”

“It wasn't an unhappy romance.” Maggie leaned back against the cushions and gazed into the distance as Allison deposited their tea, her lips curving into a smile as she retreated to memory, oblivious to the view of the bay spread out before her. “It was a wonderful romance. Jake was my first love. In fact,
he was my only love. But a few weeks before we were to be married, he… Something happened, and we… The wedding was called off. Jake joined the navy and I left the Midwest and moved to Boston, then eventually here. I hadn't seen him in twelve years when he literally appeared out of the fog at the inn a few weeks ago.”

“My!” Millicent shook her head, her expression intrigued. “What an odd coincidence.”

Maggie nodded. “I still have a hard time believing it myself.”

“And he lives here now?”

“Yes. In Castine. He'll be teaching at the Maritime Academy in the fall.” Maggie explained the events that had precipitated his move.

“My!” Millicent repeated. “That's quite a story, my dear. I take it your Jake has never married?”

“No.”

“Hmm. And what do you intend to do about the situation?”

“Do?” Maggie wrinkled her brow.

“Yes. Do. I would say the man is quite taken with you still, my dear. I can see it in his eyes when he talks about you.”

Maggie flushed. “You sound like the twins.”

“Well, the young and the old often have a clearer vision of life than you people caught in the middle.
But I suppose the most important thing is how you feel about this young man.”

Maggie sighed. “I really don't know, Millicent. I loved him once. With all my heart. But…well, I got hurt. He…he wasn't there when I needed him the most. I'm afraid to…well, take that risk again.”

“I can understand that, my dear. Perhaps the best thing to do is give yourself some time to become acquainted again. People can change, you know. And twenty years from now you don't want to look back with regrets.”

Maggie studied her, curious about the sudden, bittersweet quality in the older woman's voice. “Millicent…I don't want to pry, either, but…well, it sounds like maybe you had a similar experience.”

The older woman took a sip of tea and nodded slowly. “Yes, Maggie, I did. Many years ago. Long before you were born, in fact. It's one of the reasons I come back here each year, in fact. You see, this is where I fell in love.”

“You lived in this area?”

The older woman smiled. “Actually…I lived in this house.”

Maggie did a double take. “Here?” At the woman's nod of confirmation, Maggie frowned. “But…but I researched the history, and I never saw the name Trent.”

“That's because I took my mother's name when I moved to New York. I thought it had more of a literary ring to it.”

She looked around the porch, as if seeing a scene known only to her. “This wasn't Whispering Sails then, of course. It was just home. My father owned a very successful shipping company, and Robert—that was my beau's name—was a merchant seaman who sometimes worked on my father's ships.”

She paused as a smile of sweet remembrance lifted the corners of her mouth.

“We met the summer I was twenty-two. He was a handsome man, with sun-streaked brown hair, tall and strong, with the bluest eyes you could ever imagine. Bluer than the sea on a cloudless day. We fell in love, madly, passionately, with the intensity reserved for the very young. But my father would have none of it. His daughter deserved better than a seaman, he informed me. And what of the career I'd planned? He'd sent me to college, much against his better judgment, and now that I had the degree I'd so desperately wanted, he expected me to do something with it.

“Robert and I had a wonderful summer together, and when it was drawing to a close he asked me to marry him. I thought about it a long time, Maggie. I loved him as I had loved no one before or anyone since. But he was poor, and content with his lot,
and I was wealthy and ambitious. I wanted to make something of my life outside of Blue Hill, and I had just been offered a prestigious position with a publishing company in New York. Plus, much as I hate to admit it, my father had finally convinced me that I was too good for a mere seaman. So in the end, I turned him down.”

She gazed out over the water, and her voice grew quiet. “I regretted my decision within a year. New York wasn't nearly as glamorous as I'd expected, and living among so many different kinds of people made me realize how arrogant my attitude had been. I wasn't any better than anyone else. Not as good as most, in fact. And I missed Robert desperately. To love with such intensity…what a gift that is. And what a shame to waste it.”

Her voice faded, and Maggie leaned toward her. “But why didn't you tell him you'd changed your mind?”

Millicent turned to her with a smile of regret. “At first I was too ashamed—and too proud, I suppose—to admit my mistake. But eventually, I realized what a fool I'd been. And so I wrote to him, and asked him to meet me on his next trip to New York. I didn't tell him why, because I wanted to apologize in person, to beg him to give me one more chance.”

“And did he come?”

She shook her head. “No. You see, by then he was engaged to another woman. He was an honorable man, my Robert, and I knew he wouldn't break his engagement. Nor would I ask him to. So I simply wished him well.”

“And you never saw him again?”

“No.” Her reply came out soft. Sad. “But we corresponded after that, each Christmas, until he died five years ago.”

“So you…you never married, Millicent?”

She shook her head. “No. Not that I didn't consider it. But no one ever again touched my heart the way Robert did. And I wasn't willing to settle for less.”

Maggie knew exactly what she meant. It was the same legacy Jake had left with her.

“I'm so sorry, Millicent.”

“So am I. Especially after I received this.” She withdrew a slender chain from beneath her blouse and fingered two jagged pieces of silver which, when fitted together, formed one heart. “Robert gave me half of this in the middle of our special summer. He said that part of his heart now belonged to me and asked me to keep this always, and that he would do the same with his. I've worn my half faithfully, all my life.”

She paused and fingered the two pieces of silver. “When he died I received a package with the other
half from his daughter, along with a letter saying that her father had always carried it in his wallet and had left instructions for it to be sent to me when he died.”

Maggie's eyes filled with tears as Millicent brought her story to a close. Her heart ached for the older woman and the sailor named Robert, whose abiding love had never been fulfilled.

Millicent leaned toward her then, her gaze earnest and intent. “My dear, love is a precious and beautiful gift, but it's easily lost. Pride, ambition, fear—so many things can get in the way. I don't know what made you and Jake break up years ago. I don't know how deeply he hurt you. But a lot can happen in twelve years. People change. Circumstances change. But true love endures. And if that's what you have, don't let it slip away. Because not very many people get a second chance at love.”

Chapter Eight

A
second chance at love

Those words had been playing over and over in Maggie's mind ever since Millicent Trent planted the thought. And especially so today. Birthdays always made her wonder what the next twelve months would hold. But even in her wildest imagination, she'd never considered on her last birthday that before the next one Jake would be back in her life.

Maggie took a quick glance in the rearview mirror and shook her head. She didn't feel thirty-seven. Not physically, anyway. Emotionally…well, that was a different story. She'd lived through a lot in the past dozen years. Still, she honestly didn't think she looked her age.

It was clear the twins did, though. A rueful smile played at her lips. Why else would they have given
her a day of “rejuvenation” at the new day spa that had opened in Bangor? She'd been taken aback by the gift—not to mention appalled at the cost. Maggie wasn't accustomed to such self-indulgence, had opened her mouth to point out that the money could have been better spent on more practical items for the upcoming school year. But the girls had been so excited about their gift, had received so much pleasure from the giving, that she couldn't dampen their spirits. So she'd bitten her tongue and accepted it with a smile.

Then they'd topped off the first indulgence with a second—they were going to cook her a special birthday dinner tonight. Since neither of the girls was much interested in cooking, the chore usually fell to Maggie. And she was pretty good at it. Or so Jake had always told her.

Jake. He'd been more and more in her thoughts these past few days. Did he remember that today was her birthday? Probably not. In general, men weren't very good about those kinds of things. But he'd changed a lot in the last dozen years. She thought of Millicent's words. Was Maggie being offered a second chance at love? And if so, was it a chance she was willing to take?

She didn't have the answer to those questions. And she didn't even want to think about them for the next few hours. The twins had told her to relax
and enjoy the spa experience, and she couldn't very well do that if she thought about Jake. So, with a discipline that surprised her, she forced all disruptive thoughts from her mind and focused on the moment. She wanted to get her money's worth—make that the twins' money—out of this extravagant gift.

And as it turned out, she did. She was coddled and massaged and manicured, then treated to a facial, makeup session and haircut and style. It was pure indulgence, pampering like she had never before experienced, but much to her surprise she enjoyed it. Thoroughly. She emerged feeling invigorated, renewed, pretty and—strangely enough—younger than when she went in. It was wonderful!

By the time she climbed into her car for the drive back to the inn, Maggie was relaxed and looking forward to the special dinner the twins were preparing. She loved them dearly for the effort, no matter the result.

It was apparent they'd been watching for her, because when she stepped inside they were waiting, their faces shining, eyes expectant.

“Wow!” They breathed out the word in unison, their voices reflecting their awe at the glamorous transformation in their aunt.

Maggie grinned. “Not bad for a thirty-seven-year-old innkeeper, huh?”

“Aunt Maggie, you look great!” Abby enthused. “That makeup really brings out your coloring. And I love your hair!”

“Yeah.” Alison stepped closer for a better view. “It's a great cut. It looks really…sophisticated.”

Maggie smiled. The haircut
was
good, she had to admit as she glanced at her reflection in the oven door. Nothing dramatically different than before, but shaped and tamed by an expert to bring out her gentle, natural waves. In general, she pulled it back when around the inn, but now, as it softly brushed her shoulders and framed her face with flattering waves, she had to admit that wearing it loose and full made her feel younger. And very chic.

“Thanks. And thank you both for today. I hate to admit this, since it was such a wild extravagance, but I loved every minute of it!”

The girls beamed.

“We hoped you would. Now go up and dress for dinner. We laid out your clothes. And take your time,” Abby instructed. “We aren't going to eat for an hour.”

“No arguments from me.” Maggie did her best to ignore the chaotic mess in the kitchen. “I may not be going to a ball, but I must admit I feel a little
like Cinderella at the moment. So I'll enjoy it while it lasts.”

As Maggie closed the kitchen door she heard the girls begin to whisper, and she smiled. They were terrific young women. Despite her novice-level child-rearing skills, despite her many mistakes, despite the absence of a father figure in their home, the girls had turned out just fine. It hadn't been easy to raise them alone, but she'd done okay.

Maggie turned her attention to the clothes the girls had laid out. Her eyebrows rose in surprise when she realized that they had chosen her fanciest dress—a black chiffon, with rhinestone-studded spaghetti straps and a straight-cut bodice softened with a cowl-like draping of fabric. The full skirt swirled softly beneath a wide belt that was also studded with rhinestones. It was a lovely outfit—but what were the girls thinking? This was a cocktail dress, better suited to an elegant black-tie affair than an at-home dinner, no matter how “fancy” they were trying to make it. In fact, she'd only worn the dress once before, to an opening at an art gallery Philip had invited her to a couple of years before. She smiled and shook her head. Obviously the girls were trying to make this as nice an evening as possible. She couldn't find it in her heart to disappoint them.

She reached for the dress, and discovered a
small, gift-wrapped package. Pulling off the silver paper, she found a bottle of her favorite perfume, one she rarely bought because of the high cost.

No question about it. The twins had outdone themselves this year.

When she was dressed, Maggie paused to glance in the mirror behind her door. She felt a little silly, all dressed up and nowhere to go. But she had to admit that her rejuvenating day at the spa, her new makeup and expertly styled hair—along with the dress—made her feel terrific.

Suddenly she wondered what Jake would think if he saw her now. Would he be awed by her “glamour”? Would that flame of desire she remembered from years ago spark to life in his eyes? Would he be tempted to pull her into his arms and kiss her?

Although Maggie dismissed those questions with an impatient shake of her head, the answers were nevertheless waiting for her a few moments later when she walked into the dining room and came face-to-face with the man himself. They were obvious from the look in his eyes—yes, yes and highly likely.

Jake, attired in a dark gray suit, rose slowly from the table set for two in the center of the dining room, his gaze smoldering, hers confused. What on earth…?

A movement to her left caught her eye, and she turned to find the twins watching the proceedings with undisguised glee.

“Surprise!” they chorused.

Maggie closed her eyes as warmth spilled over her cheeks.

I'm going to ground them until they're thirty.

Now everything made sense. The spa. The clothes. The perfume. The two conspirators had decided to fill their aunt's social vacuum by planning a romantic evening for her—down to the fresh flowers and candles on the table and the bottle of champagne chilling in the silver cooler. What must Jake think?

Her mortified gaze at last met his. But he didn't look upset. Not in the least. In fact, he seemed amused. He was wearing that lopsided smile he used to give her when they were sharing a private joke. At least he was being a good sport about the whole thing.

“There's cheese and crackers on the table to start,” Abby announced. “Take your time. We'll bring in the salad in a little while.”

And then the twins disappeared.

“Jake…I'm so sorry.” She lifted her hands in a gesture of surrender. “I had no idea… This isn't at all what…” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head. “Wait till I get my hands on them.”

He chuckled, a deep, pleasing rumble that some how helped soothe her tattered nerves. “Oh, don't be too hard on them. Their hearts were in the right place.”

“Maybe. But I've explained to them over and over that we're…well, that our relationship was in the past…they knew better than to pull a stunt like… I just can't believe they did this.” She was so flummoxed she couldn't think straight.

Jake, on the other hand, seemed the epitome of calm as he strolled toward her. But his casual stance was at odds with the flames flickering around the edges of his eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. “Let's humor them. They've gone to a lot of trouble. And it is your birthday. What will one dinner together hurt?”

Maggie was afraid it might hurt a great deal. But she couldn't very well say that. And Jake was right. The girls meant well, even if their intentions were misguided.

“I suppose you're right.” She capitulated with a sigh.

He smiled, then tucked one of her hands through his arm as they strolled back to the table. He pulled out her chair with a flourish and wink before sitting down next to her. The girls had set the two places at right angles instead of across from each
other, Maggie noted. Another transparent attempt to make this an intimate dinner.

Jake poured their drinks, then raised his glass in a toast. “To Maggie—the most beautiful thirty-seven-year-old I've ever known—and the most memorable woman I've ever met.”

Maggie watched as he took a sip, his gaze never leaving hers, and suddenly she found it difficult to breathe.

“You really are beautiful, you know.” He twirled the slender flute in his fingers. “Especially tonight. I like your hair down, Maggie. It's too lovely to pull back all the time.”

She swallowed with difficulty. “Th-thanks.” Despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop her voice from betraying her turbulent emotions. She glanced down and played with the edge of her fork. It had been a long time since anyone had treated her as a desirable woman. It had been an even longer time since she
felt
like one. But with Jake…it was different. He made her feel special…and alluring…and not at all like Maggie the aunt, or Maggie the innkeeper. With him she felt like Maggie the woman.

His hand covered hers, stilling her restless fingers. “Maggie?”

She took a deep breath and looked up.

“Do I make you nervous?”

Of course he made her nervous. But she couldn't say that without saying
why,
so she forced herself to smile. “I'm just embarrassed by this whole thing. It's very…awkward. You must feel very uncomfortable.”

“Frankly, I don't.”

She looked at him in sudden suspicion. “Did you know about this?”

“No. The girls just invited me to a birthday dinner. I had no idea it was only going to be the two of us. But to be honest, I'm not sorry. I've been wanting to…”

Suddenly soft music began to play, and Jake paused as Maggie uttered a soft groan. “Oh, no! Now we have music, too.”

He listened for a moment, then another chuckle rumbled out of his chest. “Mmm-hmm. Can you place this singer?”

Maggie focused on the music, and then she, too, had to smile. The vocalist was one who had been popular in her parents' courting days.

“Just how old do they think we are?” Jake's eyes glinted with mirth.

“Ancient.” She struggled to contain her own smile.

“Oh, well.” He stood up and held out his hand. “I have a feeling the twins conveniently cleared the floor so we could…do the minuet maybe? That's
a little beyond my capabilities, but I have mastered a pretty mean fox-trot. So…may I have this dance?”

“That will only add fuel to the fire. The girls' imaginations are active enough without any encourage ment.”

“Oh, come on, Maggie. One dance. It's a nice song—even if it is old.”

When he had the beguiling look in his eyes, she found him difficult to refuse. And he
was
being a good sport about the whole thing. After being brought here under false pretenses, he had a right to be angry. Instead, he was playing along, taking the whole thing in stride. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it. She supposed she might as well try to, as well. It was her birthday, after all. But dancing with Jake, being held in his arms—the mere thought of it made her feel shaky inside.

“One dance, Maggie?”

Face it, Maggie. You want to dance with the man. Don't fight everything so much. Remember Millicent's advice. Give it a chance.

With a sigh of defeat she rose, and Jake gave her a smile of encouragement as he led her to the center of the floor. Then he took her into his arms, and for just a moment, Maggie thought every bone in her body was going to dissolve.

She closed her eyes to better savor the sensations
washing over her. His hand was firm but gentle in the small of her back, feeling familiar to her, yet new. He entwined the fingers of his other hand with hers and pressed her trembling hand against his solid, muscled chest. The scent of him—masculine, unique, utterly appealing—surrounded her and set a swarm of butterflies loose in her stomach. She could easily stay like this forever, she decided, as a wave of pure contentment washed over her.

With a small, almost inaudible sigh, she let her cheek rest against his shoulder and slowly relaxed in his arms, putting aside for just a moment all of the doubts and questions that plagued her about this man. For once, for the space of this brief dance, she would simply enjoy being held in his sure, strong arms.

Jake felt the stiffness in her body ease as she nestled against his shoulder. He dropped his chin and brushed his cheek against her hair, inhaling the subtle, sweet fragrance that clung to it. She felt so good in his arms. She always had. Soft and appealing and somehow fragile, in a way that brought out his protective instinct and made him want to keep her safe and sheltered. In fact, he would like nothing better than to spend the rest of his life doing exactly that.

BOOK: The Heart Remembers
12.11Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Murder at the Kinnen Hotel by Brian McClellan
Where We Belong by Hyde, Catherine Ryan
Aspen and the Dream Walkers by Caroline Swart
Life Is Short But Wide by Cooper, J. California
The Love Killings by Robert Ellis
The Chalet by Kojo Black
THE 13: STAND BOOK TWO by ROBBIE CHEUVRONT AND ERIK REED WITH SHAWN ALLEN
Stolen Splendor by Miriam Minger