Where Two Hearts Meet (11 page)

Chapter Eight

Matt tucked a heavy green sweatshirt into his suitcase next to his hiking boots. Though it was almost Memorial Day, the temperatures would probably still be cool in the Cascades. He reached for his Bible on the nightstand, but his hand hesitated over the family photo taken last Christmas. The kids’ smiling faces shone back at him, hope and mischief lighting their eyes.

He ran his finger along the top of the frame and lifted it for a closer look. A shard of pain twisted through him. He’d never been away from them for more than a week. How long would it be this time?

His gaze moved to his wife’s pensive face. Even in this Christmas photo, apprehension clouded her expression. He’d tried everything he could think of to convince her to go to Oregon with him. But she wouldn’t budge. She didn’t believe he had what it took to make the lodge project successful. Bottom line: She didn’t trust him.

Maybe his pride and self-sufficiency were leading him toward a dead end. But what other choice did he have? He couldn’t just sit here in New Jersey and do nothing. He needed to bring in an income, and getting the guest cabins ready to rent this summer was a start. He studied the photo a moment longer, then carefully wrapped it in a T-shirt and laid it in the suitcase along with his Bible.

“Hey, Dad.” Justin leaned in the doorway. “What time is your plane tomorrow?”

Heaviness settled over Matt. “I’m leaving around five thirty in the morning.”

Justin nodded and stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. He glanced at the suitcase and back at his dad. “I want to come out there as soon as finals are over.”

Matt’s heart warmed. “I could use your help, but I thought you planned to work full-time for Pete this summer.” Matt knew his son’s hours at the construction company increased with warmer weather, and that would provide the money he needed for college classes next fall.

“If I give my notice now, I could come by mid-June.”

Matt walked over and laid his hand on his son’s shoulder. “It would be great to have you there with me, but I don’t want to make you miss a semester.”

“It’s okay, Dad. I’m not talking about quitting college. I just want to take some time off to help you out.”

Matt’s throat tightened, and he squeezed Justin’s shoulder. “I appreciate that, but your mom wants you to stay on track so you can transfer to a university in another year.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to take a semester off. Once we get the cabins cleaned up and rented out, we’ll make enough money to pay for school. And if I go with you this summer, I can establish residency and apply to schools in Oregon.”

For a moment Matt could see it all happening. He and Justin would work together over the summer, building a closer relationship as they fixed up the cabins and restored the old lodge to its former beauty. Tessa, Brie, and Evan would join them after school was out, and the whole family would be together. But reality quickly washed over him. Tessa would never agree to it. She’d already signed Evan up for summer day camp. Brie had a part-time job lined up at the mall. Tessa wouldn’t hear of Matt disrupting the children’s summer plans. If he forced the issue, it would only hurt their relationship more. She left him no choice. He was going alone.

Sorrow shrouded Matt’s heart as he looked into his son’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Justin, I think you need to stay here, hold on to your job, and stick to the plan we made with Mom.”

“But, Dad—”

Brie and Evan marched into the room. “We want to go, too,” Brie insisted.

Evan stepped in front of his sister. “Yeah. Why should I have to go to day camp when I could be in the real woods with you?”

Matt suppressed a proud grin. “You two sound pretty serious about this.”

“We are!” Brie’s dark eyes flashed. “All of us staying here while you go to Oregon is a bad idea. Come on, Dad. This is never going to work.”

How could he convince them to accept a plan he didn’t feel was best? But for Tessa’s sake he had to squelch this mutiny. He motioned them all closer. “Look, this is a really tough time for all of us. Neither your mom nor I are happy about this decision, but it’s the best we can come up with right now.” His gaze moved around the semicircle of gloomy faces. “So while I’m gone, I want you guys to cooperate with Mom and help her out. She’s going to need you.” Matt’s voice grew thick as he thought of leaving Tessa and the kids on their own.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a movement and looked up. Tessa hesitated in the doorway. A painful expression crossed her face.

Matt straightened and focused on the kids. “Why don’t you guys head on out. I’ll come around and say good night in a little while.”

With tired sighs and sagging shoulders, the kids filed out the bedroom door.

Matt focused on his suitcase and rearranged a few pairs of rolled-up socks.

“They blame me for everything.” Tessa’s voice vibrated with emotion. “It’s not fair. This is just as much your decision as it is mine.”

Matt closed his eyes, reining in his temper. He would not argue with Tessa. This was their last night together for who knew how long.

“Did you pack some warm clothes?” Her voice softened.

“I’ll be fine.” Matt pulled another turtleneck from the drawer and folded it into the suitcase. He heard Tessa cross the room. His heart hammered. Did she finally realize how much her painful choices were costing their family?

“You don’t have to do this, Matt. It’s not too late to change your mind.”

His hopes crashed, and his heart hardened. He slowly turned and faced her. “The door swings both ways, Tessa.”

Her stony expression faltered, and tears glistened in her eyes, but she turned and walked away.

* * *

Tessa lay in bed, still as a stone, pretending to be asleep. She peeked out from under the comforter. Matt lugged his suitcase toward the bedroom door. He slowed for a moment, his bulky silhouette outlined in the soft glow from the night-light in the hall. She closed her eyes so he wouldn’t guess she was awake. Saying good-bye again would only hurt more.

The door closed with a soft click. Darkness enveloped the room. Tessa heard the suitcase wheels roll down the hallway. Hot, silent tears coursed down her cheeks. She didn’t think he’d really leave. But it was happening. And somehow she felt like the nightmare had only begun.

* * *

“Bring me more towels!” Panic rushed through Tessa as she tried to hold back the rising water with the pile of sopping towels.

She’d sent her daughter next door to get their elderly neighbor, Walter Cooper. Hopefully he would know how to stop the torrent gushing from the broken cold-water handle in the shower.

For the hundredth time, she moaned and berated herself for sending her husband off to Oregon. What kind of fool was she? Handling life on her own had been nothing short of a disaster.

On Tuesday the dryer broke, and the repairman couldn’t come until next week. On Wednesday her key jammed in the ignition, and she had to have the van towed to the dealer. Last night Justin had stayed out past his curfew—again. When she confronted him, he glared at her and insisted he shouldn’t have to stick to the same schedule he’d kept, since his classes at the community college were finished. That same day, Brie broke up with her boyfriend, Ryan, and was inconsolable. Then just before dinner, Evan’s teacher called and said she was concerned about his moodiness and poor performance over the last two weeks—exactly the length of time Matt had been gone. And now this plumbing catastrophe!

“Brie! Where are you?” Tessa gritted her teeth and tried to shove the sloppy wave back toward the shower stall, but it gushed over the top of her towel barrier and surged toward the door. Tears flooded her eyes like the mini tidal wave in her bathroom. If only Matt were here. He’d know what to do. He was so good with the kids, and he could fix anything.

The doorbell chimed. Tessa groaned, turned away from the mess, and headed downstairs. Glancing in the mirror on the wall of the entryway, she skidded to a stop. Tears still shimmered in her eyes, mascara smudged her cheeks, and her wet clothes clung to her. Well, there was nothing she could do about it now. She pulled open the door and froze.

Bill Hancock stood on the porch holding a large arrangement of bright spring flowers. His eyes widened. “Tessa? What happened?”

Embarrassment zinged through her like an electric shock. “My—my daughter was taking a shower, and the handle broke off. I’ve got a flood upstairs, and I have no idea how to shut it off.”

“Would you like me to come in and take a look?”

Relief washed over her. “Oh, would you?”

“Sure, show me the way.” He set the flowers on a nearby table. “These are for you. You’ve been so down in the dumps, I was hoping they’d cheer you up.”

She bit her lip, torn by his kindness and a feeling of guilt. “Thanks, Bill.”

Within two minutes, Bill turned off the water to the entire house. Then he followed Tessa upstairs and insisted on helping her clean up the mess. Brie finally arrived with Mr. Cooper. She’d caught him napping in front of the TV and waited for him to put on his shoes and collect his tools before he came to help. Tessa thanked her neighbor and sent him home. She introduced Brie and Bill and then gave her daughter a pile of wet towels to tote to the laundry room. When Brie returned, she stood in the doorway and glared suspiciously at Bill.

Tessa forced a smile. “Thanks, Brie. I think we’re about finished here.”

Her daughter lifted her eyebrows, silently asking, who is this guy, and what’s he doing here?

Ignoring her daughter’s look, she turned to Bill. “Good thing you stopped by. We’d have drowned without your help.”

He grinned. “Glad I decided to deliver those flowers myself.”

“Flowers?” Brie’s gaze darted from Bill to Tessa.

“Yes, Bill brought us a lovely bouquet to cheer us up. He had no idea we needed a plumber.”

He chuckled. “Well, it doesn’t take too much talent to push a mop around.”

Brie rolled her eyes and flounced off down the hall.

Tessa swallowed her embarrassment and turned to Bill. “I do appreciate your help. And thanks again for the flowers. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Well, I admit I have another motive for my visit.” He grinned and leaned against the doorjamb. “I have two tickets for the Princeton Medical Center gala dinner next Saturday, and I wondered if you’d like to go.”

Tessa’s breath caught in her throat. “I don’t know, Bill.”

“It would be a great way to make connections for Sweet Something. You’d be networking with Princeton’s finest.” When she hesitated, he sent her an understanding look. “You don’t have to decide right now. Check your schedule. See if you can work it out.”

She struggled to focus her spinning thoughts. Was he trying to help her business, or was he asking her out on a date? She looked into Bill’s eyes, and something there hinted this invitation was more than a friendly business offer.

“No pressure. Just think about it, okay?”

She couldn’t decide tonight. She needed more time. “Okay,” she said softly. But as soon as she answered, doubt tossed her emotions back and forth like a choppy sea.

Chapter Nine

Matt strapped his leather tool belt around his waist and leaned the extension ladder against the side of cabin number four. Once he fixed the roof, this cabin would be ready for rental. A warm sense of satisfaction flowed through him as he climbed to the top and glanced at the other three classic 1920s log cabins he had repaired over the last two weeks. Each one slept six and had a river-rock fireplace and full-length plank porch. He still had three more cabins to refurbish, but he could begin taking reservations anytime.

He pulled in a deep breath of fresh, evergreen-scented air and listened to the wind in the fir trees. The quiet had been hard to get used to at first, especially after living in a busy family of five. Though he’d grown accustomed to his peaceful surroundings, he missed his family and the comfort of the relationships and routines they shared every day.

His only contact with home was his nightly phone call. Sometimes that hurt so much he could hardly force himself to dial the number. The kids poured out their stories, making him ache to be there, but Tessa always kept her conversation brief and businesslike. She never even hinted at missing him or changing her mind about coming to Oregon. His heart hurt every time he thought of all that separated them—not just physical distance, but broken dreams and shattered trust.

He heard a car approaching and leaned to the left to check it out. A black BMW pulled in and parked. The car door opened, and Mallory Willard stepped out. Matt’s stomach tensed. This was her fourth visit since he’d returned to work on renovations. He was beginning to think she had more than legal work on her mind.

Long blond hair shimmered in the sunlight as it fell over her shoulders, and her black pants and blue sweater showed off her great figure. Heat flashed up his neck, and he shifted his focus. Maybe if he didn’t say anything, she’d think he wasn’t home and leave. He huffed out a disgusted breath. What kind of coward was he? He could handle Mallory Willard.

“Hey, Mallory, I’m up here.” He waved.

She looked up and sent him a dazzling smile. “Well, aren’t you the brave one. What are you doing way up there?”

“Just working on the roof.” He climbed down and walked over to meet her.

“Everything looks wonderful. I can’t believe all you’ve accomplished in just two weeks.”

“Thanks.” He let his gaze travel around the property. She was right. It looked like a different place. Earlier this week, he’d hired a couple men to clear out the weeds, trim the bushes, and begin some basic landscaping.

“I hope you’re hungry.” She reached back into her car and pulled out a large wicker basket.

A warning flashed through him. “What’s that?”

“Barbecued chicken, roasted vegetables, potato salad, and the best strawberry pie you’ve ever tasted.”

“Wow, I was going to eat leftover pizza.”

“You deserve much more than that after all this hard work.”

Her inviting smile and tempting menu made Matt’s head swim. Why not invite her in and enjoy the food she’d made? But what would Tessa say if she found out? How would he explain having dinner, alone, with an attractive woman like Mallory Willard?

“Let’s go inside.” She smiled and dangled the basket in front of him.

The scent of barbecued chicken drifted out, making his mouth water. “I guess I can take a break for a few minutes.” He led her to the lodge, fighting a battle with his conscience.
She is offering more than a home-cooked meal, and you know it. It’s okay; I’ll just eat the food and get right back to work.

Mallory stepped inside and set the basket on the coffee table. “Why don’t you go clean up while I get things ready?” Matt glanced down at his dirty shirt and hands. “Sure. I’ll . . . uh, be right back.” He took the stairs two at a time and pulled off his shirt as he hustled down the upstairs hall. After snatching a clean shirt from his closet, he headed for the bathroom. The warm water felt good as he ran it over his hands. Leaning forward, he splashed his face, grabbed a towel, and looked up at the mirror.

Staring at his dripping reflection, a powerful wave of conviction broke over him. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. Nothing would wash away his guilt if he didn’t go downstairs right now and put an end to this. No matter how hungry or lonely he felt, he loved the Lord and his family too much to put himself in a tempting situation with Mallory Willard.

He tossed the towel on the counter and walked out of the bathroom. Verses he’d read in Proverbs that morning came back to him. He couldn’t quote them perfectly, but he knew they said he’d pay a high price if he broke his marriage vows and got involved with another woman. The vivid word picture flashed in his mind—“Her lips drip honey, but in the end her feet go down to death. ”

All right. I hear You, Lord.

When he reached the bottom step, he saw her standing by the roll top desk with the phone to her ear.

“No, he’s busy,” she said softly. “He can’t come to the phone right now.”

Matt frowned. Who was she talking to? “Mallory.”

She spun around and quickly replaced the receiver. Her lips curved into an unconvincing smile. “Well, don’t you clean up nicely.”

“Who was that?”

She averted her eyes. “Just a wrong number.”

She was lying. The call had probably been from one of his kids or, worse yet, from Tessa. Irritation coursed through him, confirming his decision. “Mallory, you need to leave.”

“Why? What’s the matter?” She crossed the room to meet him.

“I’m committed to my marriage, and inviting you in is sending you the wrong message.”

Her eyes widened with false innocence. “But we haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Exactly. And I want to keep it that way.” He strode to the door and pulled it open.

She huffed out a scornful laugh. “My, my, aren’t you the noble one.”

He hesitated, struggling with the truth, then looked her in the eye. “No, but I’ve made a commitment to God and to my wife, and I don’t want to do anything that would hurt my family or damage the name of Christ.” A rush of victory flooded him, and he held the door open wider. “Good-bye, Mallory.” She lifted her chin, and her electric blue eyes flashed. “You’re throwing away the possibility of a great relationship. Is that what you really want?”

Doubt tugged at his resolve for a second. He needed a miracle to win back Tessa’s love, but this was no time to give up on his marriage or do something stupid. He raised his gaze and met hers. “I made up my mind twenty-five years ago when I married Tessa. Nothing is going to change that.”

Flames singed her cheeks, and her lips twitched. “Then you’re a bigger fool than I thought.” She snatched the basket off the coffee table, leaving the food behind as she strutted out the door. Two seconds later, he heard her car door slam and the spray of gravel as she sped down the driveway and out of his life.

He leaned back against the door and closed his eyes. “Thank You,” he whispered. Then he headed down the path to the lake to continue his conversation with the Lord.

* * *

Tessa carried the last three bags of groceries into the house, dreading the mess she knew awaited her in the kitchen.

Her selfish complaints about Matt’s lack of help taunted her. Since he left she felt like she swam through a soupy sea, barely able to keep her head above water. She’d never realized or appreciated all he did. Now there was no one to share the load. Tonight she had to find some way to dry two loads of laundry, help Evan with his math, and pick up Brie from work, but first she had to put away all these groceries.

Evan looked at her with a perplexed expression as she came in the door. “Something weird is going on.”

She sighed and lowered the heavy bags to the floor. “What do you mean, honey?”

“I just called Dad, and some woman answered and said he was busy and couldn’t come to the phone.”

A chill raced up Tessa’s back. “You probably dialed the wrong number. Try again.”

Evan shook his head. “I used your phone ’cause the number’s programmed in.”

Tessa swallowed and clasped her hands in front of her to hide their trembling.
Oh, Father, what's happening?
Have I pushed him away—right into the arms of another woman?
The image of the tall, blond lawyer rose in her mind, and her stomach clenched. That woman’s interest in Matt had been obvious from the first day they arrived. Had she been chasing Matt while Tessa selfishly ignored his pleas to bring the kids and come to Oregon?

Was he fighting a battle for their marriage, or had he already given up and given in? “Hand me the phone, Evan.”

“You okay, Mom?”

She nodded, trying to swallow her rising fear. “I’m fine. Why don’t you put away some groceries for me.”

Evan quietly pulled a box of cereal from the closest bag and watched her punch in the number. She ought to take the conversation into another room, but her feet felt glued to the floor. Matt’s phone rang. Tessa held her breath. What would she say if that woman answered? After three more rings, the answering machine picked up. Her heart twisted at the sound of his voice. Why didn’t he answer? What were they doing?

She cleared her throat. “Matt, it’s me. Please call. We need to talk.” She could hardly choke out the last sentence.

Evan stared at her and then walked out of the kitchen, his shoulders slumping. She heard him click on the TV in the living room.

She mechanically put away groceries, anxiety and regret weighing down every motion. How many times had she ignored her husband’s needs and let her own fears and resentment build a wall between them? Had she destroyed her marriage with her own willful choices? But didn’t Matt have some responsibility, too? Wasn’t he the one who’d gone off to Oregon and left her here?

The truth hit her hard. She had chosen to hold on to her anger rather than forgive and believe the best in her husband. Her lack of trust in Matt, and ultimately in the Lord, was hurting them all. The weight of her sin and the cost it was extracting from her family felt like a crushing weight on her shoulders.

Father, help me! I’m so sorry. Please don’t let it be too late.

Evan drifted back into the kitchen, a worried look in his eyes. “Don’t you have to pick up Brie?”

Tessa checked the kitchen clock and snatched her keys off the counter. “Come on, we’re already late.”

Raindrops pelted the windshield as she backed the van out of the garage. Lightning split the sky, followed by a frightening boom of thunder. She flipped the wipers on high, trying to see through the sheets of rain. She hated driving in storms, but she couldn’t leave her daughter stranded at the mall.

As Tessa merged onto the rain-slick highway, her stomach knotted and her thoughts spun into a tangled web. How had her life gotten so out of control? Had she become so absorbed with her problems that she’d drifted away from the Lord and closed her ears to His voice? The memory of Bill’s dinner invitation sent a huge wave of guilt crashing over her. How could she have even considered it? The thunderstorm outside was nothing compared to the tempest in her heart.

Forgive me, Father. Please forgive me.
Tears rained silently down her cheeks. She choked back a sob to hide her distress from her son, who sat behind her.

Red taillights flashed ahead. She slowed, but a pickup truck cut into her lane, trying to squeeze into the shrinking space between her and the next car. Tessa gasped, slammed on the brakes, and swerved to the left. A horn blared behind her. She frantically jerked the steering wheel to the right. Tires screeched, metal crunched, and Evan’s scream pierced the night and tore her heart in two.