A Bend in the Road

by Nicholas Sparks

  "Thank you for trusting me," he said.

  "I didn't have a choice."

  "You always have a choice."

  "Not this time. Not with you."

  She lifted her head then, and without another word she kissed him, brushing her lips softly against his, once, then twice, before meeting them for good. His arms moved up her back as her mouth opened, and then she felt his tongue against hers, the wetness intoxicating. She brought one of her hands to his face, felt the rough stubble beneath her fingertips, then traced the stubble with her lips. Miles responded by moving his mouth to her neck, gently nipping and kissing, his breath hot against her skin.

  They made love for a long time; the fire eventually burned itself out, painting the room with darker shadows. Throughout the night, Miles whispered to her in the darkness, his hand always in movement against her, as if trying to convince himself that she was real. Twice, he got up to add more logs to the fire. She retrieved a quilt from the bedroom to cover them up, and sometime in the early morning hours, both of them realized they were ravenous. They shared the plate of lasagna in front of the fire, and for some reason, the act of eating together--naked and beneath the quilt--seemed almost as sensual as anything else that had happened that night.

  Just before dawn, Sarah finally feel asleep and Miles carried her to the bedroom, closed the drapes, and crawled in beside her. The morning was overcast and rainy, dark, and they slept until almost noon, the first time that had happened for either of them in as long as they could remember. Sarah woke first; she felt Miles curled around her, one arm on top, and she stirred. It was enough to wake him. He lifted his head from the pillow, and she rolled over to face him. Miles reached up and traced her cheek with his finger, trying to suppress the lump that had formed in his throat.

  "I love you," he said, unable to stop the words.

  She took his hand in both of hers, bringing it to her breast.

  "Oh, Miles," she whispered. "I love you, too."

  Chapter 14

  During the next few days, Sarah and Miles spent all their free time together--not just on dates, but around the house as well. Jonah, instead of sorting through what it all meant, simply let his questions slide for the time being. In his room, he showed Sarah his collection of baseball cards, he talked about fishing and taught her how to cast a line. Occasionally he would surprise her by taking her hand as he led her off to show her something new.

  Miles watched all of it from a distance, knowing that Jonah needed to figure out exactly where Sarah fit into his world and how he felt about her. It made it easier, he knew, that Sarah wasn't a stranger. But he couldn't hide his relief at seeing them get along so well.

  On Halloween, they drove to the beach and spent the afternoon collecting seashells, then went trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Jonah went around with a group of friends, Miles and Sarah trailing behind with other parents.

  Brenda, of course, peppered Sarah with questions at school, once word had spread in town. Charlie, too, made mention of the news. "I love her, Charlie," Miles said simply, and though Charlie, being from the old school, wondered whether everything had moved a little too quickly, nonetheless slapped Miles on the back and invited both of them to dinner.

  As for Miles and Sarah, their relationship progressed with a dreamlike intensity. When they were apart, they hungered for the sight of each other; when they were together, they longed for more time. They met for lunch, they talked on the phone, they made love whenever they had a quiet moment together.

  Despite Miles's attention to Sarah, he also made sure to spend as much time alone with Jonah as he could. Sarah, too, did her best to keep things as normal as possible for Jonah. When she sat with him in the classroom after school, she made sure to treat him the same way she had before, as a student in need of help. If it seemed to Sarah that he sometimes paused in his work to watch her speculatively, she didn't press him on it.

  In mid-November, three weeks after they'd first made love, Sarah cut back the number of days that Jonah had to stay after school from three to one. For the most part, he was caught up; he was doing fine in reading and spelling, and though he needed a little more help with math, she figured one day a week ought to do it. That night, Miles and Sarah took him out for pizza as a sort of celebration.

  Later, however, while tucking Jonah into bed, Miles noticed that his son seemed quieter than usual.

  "Why the glum face, champ?"

  "I'm feeling kind of sad."

  "Why?"

  "Because," he said simply, "I don't have to stay after school as much anymore."

  "I thought you didn't like staying after school."

  "I didn't at first, but I kind of like it now."

  "You do?"

  He nodded. "Miss Andrews makes me feel special."

  "He said that?"

  Miles nodded. He and Sarah were sitting on the front steps, watching Jonah and Mark jump their bikes over a plywood ramp in the driveway. Sarah's legs were drawn up close and she had her arms wrapped around them.

  "Yes, he did." Jonah went zipping by them, Mark right behind, onto the grass where they intended to circle around again. "To be honest, I've been wondering how he would handle our seeing each other, but he seems to be fine."

  "That's good."

  "How's he doing in school with this?"

  "I really haven't noticed much of a change. For the first few days, I think some of the other kids in class were asking him about it, but it seems to have died down some."

  Jonah and Mark raced by again, oblivious to their presence.

  "Do you want to spend Thanksgiving with Jonah and me?" Miles asked. "I've got to work that night, but we can eat early, if you don't have plans."

  "I can't. My brother's coming home from college and my mom is making a big dinner for all of us. She invited a bunch of people--aunts, uncles, cousins, and the grandparents. I don't think she'd be too understanding if I told her to count me out."

  "No. I don't guess she would."

  "She wants to meet you, though. She keeps bugging me to bring you over."

  "Why don't you?"

  "I didn't think you were ready for that, just yet." She winked. "Didn't want to scare you off."

  "She can't be that bad."

  "Don't be so sure. But if you're game, you can join us for Thanksgiving. That way we could spend it together."

  "You sure? It sounds like you have a full house already."

  "Are you kidding? A couple more won't make any difference. And besides, that way you can meet the whole clan. Unless, ofcourse, you're not ready for that yet, either."

  "I'm ready."

  "Then you'll come?"

  "Plan on it."

  "Good. But listen, if my mom starts asking some strange questions, just remember that I take after my father, okay?"

  Later that night, with Jonah away at Mark's again, Sarah followed Miles into the bedroom. This was a first: Up until now, they'd always stayed overnight at Sarah's apartment, and the fact that they found themselves in the bed once shared by Missy and Miles wasn't lost on either of them. When they made love, there was an urgency to it, an almost frantic passion that left both of them breathless. They didn't speak much afterward; Sarah simply lay beside Miles with her head on his chest as he ran his hands gently through her hair.

  Sarah had the sense that Miles wanted to be alone with his thoughts. As she gazed around the bedroom, she realized for the first time that they were surrounded by pictures of Missy, including one on the bedstand that she could reach out and touch.

  Suddenly uneasy, she also spotted the manila file he'd mentioned before, the one filled with information he'd assembled after Missy died. It sat on the shelf, thick and well handled, and she found herself staring at it as her head rose and fell with every breath Miles took. Finally, when the silence between them began to feel oppressive, she slid her head onto the pillow to face him.

  "Are you okay?" she asked.

  "I'm fine," he said, not meeting her eye
s.

  "You're kind of quiet."

  "Just thinking," he murmured.

  "Good things, I hope."

  "Only the best." He traced his finger down her arm. "I love you," he whispered.

  "I love you, too."

  "Will you stay with me all night?"

  "Do you want me to?"

  "Very much."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Absolutely."

  Though still a little unsettled, she let him pull her close. He kissed her again, then held her until she finally fell asleep. In the morning, when she woke, it took her a moment to realize where she was. Miles ran his finger along her spine and she felt her body begin to respond.

  There was something different about their lovemaking this time, something that more closely resembled their first time together, tender and unrushed. It wasn't just the way he kissed and whispered to her, but rather the way he looked as he moved above her that spoke of how serious their relationship had become.

  That, and the fact that sometime while she'd been sleeping, Miles had quietly removed the pictures and the manila file that had cast their shadow over them the night before.

  Chapter 15

  I still don't understand why I haven't had the chance to meet him yet."

  Maureen and Sarah were in the grocery store, walking the aisles and filling the cart with everything they needed. To Sarah, it looked as if her mother planned to feed a few dozen people for at least a week.

  "You will, Mom, in a few days. Like I said, he and Jonah will be coming by for dinner."

  "But wouldn't he be more comfortable if he came over before that? So we could have a chance to get to know each other?"

  "You'll have plenty of time to get to know him, Mom. You know how Thanksgiving is."

  "But with everyone else around, it's just not going to be possible to visit the way I'd like."

  "I'm sure he'll understand."

  "And didn't you say he has to leave early?"

  "He has to go to work about four o'clock."

  "On a holiday?"

  "He works Thanksgiving Day so he can have Christmas off. He's a sheriff, you know. It's not like they can let everyone take the day off."

  "So who's going to watch Jonah?"

  "I will. I'll probably bring him back to Miles's house. You know Dad--he'll be sound asleep by six o'clock, and I'll probably bring him home then."

  "So early?"

  "Don't worry. We'll still be there all afternoon."

  "You're right," Maureen said. "It's just that I'm a little frazzled from all this."

  "Don't be worried, Mom. Nothing's going to go wrong."

  "Will there be other kids there?" Jonah asked.

  "I don't know," Miles said. "There might be."

  "Boys or girls?"

  "I don't know."

  "Well... how old are they?"

  Miles shook his head. "Like I said, I don't know. I'm not even sure there will be other kids there, to tell you the truth. I forgot to ask."

  Jonah furrowed his brow. "But if I'm the only kid, what will I do?"

  "Watch the football game with me?"

  "That's boring."

  Miles reached for his son, sliding him along the front seat until he was close.

  "Well, we're not going to be there all day, anyway, since I have to work. But we do have to visit at least for a little while. I mean, they were nice enough to invite us over, and it wouldn't be polite to leave right after we eat. But maybe we can go for a walk or something."

  "With Miss Andrews?"

  "If you'd like her to come."

  "Okay." He paused, his head turned toward the window. They were rolling past a grove of loblolly pines. "Dad...do you think we're having turkey?"

  "I'm pretty sure we are. Why?"

  "Will it taste funny? Like it did last year?"

  "Are you saying you didn't like my cooking?"

  "It tasted funny."

  "It did not."

  "To me it did."

  "Maybe they're better cooks than I am."

  "I hope so."

  "Are you picking on me?"

  Jonah grinned. "Kind of. But it did taste funny, you know."

  Miles and Jonah pulled up in front of a two-story brick home and parked near the mailbox. The lawn had all the markings of someone who enjoyed gardening. Pansies had been planted along the walkway, pine straw had been spread around the bases of the trees, and the only leaves in evidence were those that had fallen the night before. Sarah brushed back the curtain and waved from inside the house. A moment later, she opened the front door.

  "Wow, you look impressive," she said.

  Miles's hand went absently to his tie. "Thanks."

  "I was talking to Jonah," she said with a wink, and Jonah glanced at his father with a victorious expression. He was wearing navy slacks and a white shirt and looked clean enough to have come straight from church. He gave Sarah a quick hug.

  From behind her back, Sarah brought out a set of Matchbox cars, which she handed to Jonah.

  "What's this for?" he asked.

  "I just wanted you to have something to play with while you're here," she said. "Do you like them?"

  He stared at the box. "This is great! Dad... look." He held the box in the air.

  "I see that. Did you say thanks?"

  "Thank you, Miss Andrews."

  "You're welcome."

  As soon as Miles approached, Sarah stood again and greeted him with a kiss. "I was just kidding, you know. You look nice, too. I'm not used to seeing you wearing a jacket and tie in the middle of the afternoon." She fingered his lapel slightly. "I could get used to this."

  "Thank you, Miss Andrews," he said, mimicking his son. "You look pretty nice yourself."

  And she did. If anything, the longer he knew her, the prettier she seemed to get, no matter what she wore.

  "You ready to come inside?" she asked.

  "Whenever you are," Miles answered.

  "How about you, Jonah?"

  "Are there any other kids here?"

  "No. I'm sorry. Just a bunch of grown-ups. But they're really nice, and they're looking forward to meeting you."

  He nodded and his eyes traveled to the box again. "Can I open this now?"

  "If you'd like to. It's yours, so you can open it whenever you want."

  "So I can play with them outside, too?"

  "Sure," Sarah said. "That's why I got them--"

  "But first," Miles added, cutting into the conversation, "you've got to come inside and meet everyone. And if you do head back out to play, I don't want you getting dirty before dinner."

  "Okay," Jonah agreed instantly, and from the look on his face, it seemed he believed that he'd stay clean. Miles, however, was under no illusions. A seven-year-old boy, playing on the ground outside? Not a chance, but hopefully he wouldn't get too grubby.

  "All right, then," Sarah said. "Let's head on in. One word of caution, though..."

  "Is it about your mother?"

  Sarah smiled. "How did you know?"

  "Don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior, and Jonah will, too, right?"

  Jonah nodded without looking up.

  Sarah took Miles's hand and leaned close to his ear. "It's not you two that I was worried about."

  "So there you are!" Maureen cried as she emerged from the kitchen.

  Sarah nudged Miles. Following her eyes, Miles was surprised to see that Maureen looked nothing like her daughter. Where Sarah was blond, Maureen's hair was graying in a way that looked as if it had been black at one time; where Sarah was tall and thin, her mother had a more matronly appearance. And while Sarah seemed to glide when she walked, Maureen seemed almost to bounce as she approached them. She was wearing a white apron over her blue dress and held her hands out as she approached, as if greeting long-lost friends. "I've heard so much about you both!"

  Maureen enveloped Miles in a hug and did the same thing to Jonah, even before Sarah made the formal introductions. "I'm so glad you could come! We'
ve got a full house, as you can see, but you two are the guests of honor." She seemed practically giddy.

  "What's that?" Jonah asked.

  "It means that everyone's been waiting for you."

  "It does?"

  "Yessiree."

  "They don't even know me," Jonah said innocently, as he glanced around the room, feeling the eyes of strangers on him. Miles put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

  "It's nice to meet you, Maureen. And thanks for having us over."

  "Oh, it was my pleasure." She giggled. "We're just glad you could come. And I know that Sarah was glad, too."

  "Mom . . ."

  "Well, you were. No reason to deny it." She turned her attention to Miles and Jonah, talking and giggling for the next few minutes. When she'd finally finished, she began to introduce them to the grandparents, as well as the rest of Sarah's relatives, about a dozen people in all. Miles shook hands, Jonah followed his lead, and Sarah winced at the way Maureen kept introducing Miles. "This is Sarah's friend," she'd say, but it was her tone--a mixture of pride and motherly approval--that left no doubt as to what she really meant. When they'd finished, Maureen seemed almost exhausted by the performance. She turned her attention back to Miles. "Now, what can I get you to drink?"

  "How about a beer?"

  "One beer coming up. And how about for you, Jonah? We've got root beer or Seven-Up."

  "Root beer."

  "Let me go with you, Mom," Sarah said, taking hold of her mother's arm. "I think I need a drink, too."

  On their way to the kitchen, her mother was beaming. "Oh, Sarah... I'm so happy for you."

  "Thanks."

  "He seems wonderful. Such a nice smile. He looks like someone you can trust."

  "I know."

  "And that boy of his is darling."

  "Yes, Mother...."

  "Where's Daddy?" Sarah asked a few minutes later. Her mother had finally calmed down enough to turn her attention back to her dinner preparations.

  "I sent him and Brian out to the grocery store a few minutes ago," Maureen answered. "We needed some more rolls and a bottle of wine. I wasn't sure we had enough."

  Sarah opened the oven and checked the turkey; the smell wafted through the kitchen.