Kindling for the Heart

by Karen Legasy

  “We will if it’s meant to be.” Sam headed down the hall to her room.

  “Good luck with Jo.” Trish called out. “I really mean it.”

  “Thanks.” Sam poked her head around her bedroom door before closing herself in for the night. “I really need to study and get my head into this potential job. Dinner was great. Thanks again.”

  Sam checked the Timmins weather as soon as she settled back into her bedroom. The city was heading into a deep freeze and it would be unbearably cold for her trip on Monday. She fondled the kindling, thinking of the green cedar hedge outside Jo’s kitchen window.

  Her flight was booked to leave early Monday morning and return later in the evening, but with a flexible ticket that could be changed up to an hour before departure. Sam smiled as she imagined knocking on Jo’s door then falling into each other’s arms for a night of hot passion fitting for frigid weather.

  It had to be like that because there were no other options. By next week at this time, Sam planned to be well on her way to the rest of her life.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Friday evening at Jo’s place was a bustle of getting ready for an early morning flight to Toronto then on to Punta Cana. Anna and her mother were already packed, but Jo was far from ready. She was still finishing up her living room floor, and brooding over the disaster in Toronto. How could she have let herself fall for Sam’s lies a second time, especially after the heartbreak she went through with Jan? It was just so stupid. She needed to put it behind her.

  Her mother and sister had dropped by to help get her suitcase filled with summer clothes and beachwear. They were in Jo’s bedroom, going through her wardrobe and selecting appropriate attire. Anna flung a pair of sports sandals toward Jo’s luggage. “You’re not wearing hiking boots on the beach.”

  “Bring both of your bathing suits.” Her mother tossed them into the open case. “You can wear the two-piece on the beach and have the other one available for your workout swims in the pool.”

  “Whatever.” Jo let them have control of her packing. She was still numb with hurt, struggling to forget about Sam. At least she’d only be in Toronto for two hours the next morning before their flight south. She would stay in security and try not to think of being in the same city as Sam.

  “This is going to be so much fun.” Anna held up a navy golf shirt. “What do you think? It’s looking a bit ragged.”

  “Put it in,” Jo said. “It’s one of my favorite tops and I want to be comfortable.”

  Her mother sifted through the bed full of clothes. “Let’s pack some nice blouses so you’ll have something to wear when we go out for dinner.” She held up Jo’s beige top. “This is cute. I like the fern leaves in the pattern. It’ll be perfect.”

  “Here’s another one with some pine needles on the fabric.” Anna threw it onto the pile. “I can see a theme in your clothes. The bush. I sure hope you shave your legs.”

  “Anna, the hair on my legs is blond and hardly has to be shaved.” Jo raised her pant leg and flaunted the peach fuzz. “You should be happy I’m not dark like you because my legs are always hairy.”

  “Ugh,” Anna said. “I hope you at least cut your toenails so you look presentable in sandals.”

  Her mother held out her hands, jiggling fingers. “I had my nails painted a nice blue teal that reminds me of the ocean.”

  “How nice.” Anna examined them. “I’m hoping to get mine done at the resort because I haven’t had time and they’re a disaster.”

  Jo looked at her short nails. Whites were starting to show at the tips, so it was time for another trim. Forget about anything else, though.

  By the time her suitcase was full, Jo realized she’d only picked out underwear while her mother and Anna had decided on the rest of her wardrobe for the trip. An all-inclusive holiday was just what she needed. Now that her living room flooring was done, she had no energy left.

  “Robert’s here,” Anna said. “I’ll let him in.”

  Mollie beat her to the door and nuzzled Robert as he stepped inside, overnight bag in hand.

  “Hey, girl.” He bent to greet the bustling dog. “It’s going to be just the two of us. We’ll have lots of fun while our moms and Grandma lie on the beach.”

  Anna hugged her son. “We can’t just lie around all day. We’ll be taking some nice long walks along the shoreline to burn off the extra calories from all the food we’re going to eat.”

  “I’d like to get a pair of larimar earrings.” Her mother hugged Robert next. “We can walk down to the shops at the far end of the beach. A nice larimar pendant would look good on you, Jo.”

  Jo greeted Robert, their hug tight and reaffirming after their conversation of a few nights before. “I’m not in the market for any souvenirs for myself.”

  “I can’t believe you’re not more excited about this trip,” Anna said. “This will be the perfect opportunity for you to unwind and forget about everything. And to relax.”

  “It’s great you can stay here tonight and take us to the airport in the morning,” Jo said to Robert in an effort to take the focus off her. “Maybe I’ll bring you back a souvenir.”

  “There’s no need to do that,” Robert said as he followed her into the kitchen. “But if you feel like it, a nice bottle of alcohol for Valentine’s Day would be nice.”

  “Oh?” Anna looked at her son. “Do you have something special planned?”

  “Yes, I do.” Robert carried his bag toward the guest bedroom. “Aunt Jo and I are spending it together.”

  “Have a look at her new living room floor on your way by,” her mother said. “She’s been working like mad to get it finished.”

  Robert put his pack down and walked inside the room. “Hey, Aunt Jo, this looks great. The boards are in really good shape.”

  “What are you going to do with the bamboo?” Anna asked.

  “Burn it.” Jo closed her eyes, her jaw tightening.

  “Oh Jo, don’t do that,” her mother said. “I’m sure someone could do something with it, just like you used this beautiful oak flooring.”

  “The bamboo is toxic, and I want it destroyed.” Jo picked up Robert’s bag, needing to escape. “I’ll take this to your room for you.”

  Jo stormed down the hallway and placed his pack on the floor beside the bed Sam had slept in. She ran her hand across the duvet then squeezed the pillow in a futile attempt to harness feelings of loss.

  The trip south was a godsend. There was little to associate with Sam in a land so far away. At least, that’s what Jo hoped. She took a deep breath and returned to the kitchen, determined to make this winter escape work.

  Her mother and sister were standing by the outside door, ready to leave.

  “Have a good sleep, dear, and don’t forget your passport.” Her mother kissed her cheek and gave a heartfelt hug.

  “I won’t.” Jo kissed her mother’s cheek, comforted by her caring. “And thanks for your help with the packing.”

  “It was fun.” Her mother turned to Robert and gave him a farewell hug. “It’s so nice of you to get up early on your day off to drive us to the airport.”

  “More like the middle of the night,” Robert said, “but I guess it’s payback time.”

  “For sure.” Anna tied her wool scarf into a knot over the front of her coat. “You owe me for all those early morning trips to the arena to play hockey. I’ll see you at four thirty.” She kissed his cheek and they left.

  Jo made a cup of chamomile tea then sat in the living room with Robert and Mollie. “I’m glad you could stay over tonight. It’ll make things a lot simpler in the morning.”

  “Poor Mollie, she’s going to really miss you.” Robert sipped on a rum and Coke.

  “I’m going to miss her too, but I know the two of you’ll have fun together.” She was glad he was going to be here with Mollie. “And remember, you can use my truck all week if you like.”

  “Thanks. My vehicle needs to go in for some muffler work and I was hoping t
o drop it off at the dealer’s on Monday.”

  “Perfect, then. I filled up the tank this afternoon and Mollie’s blanket for the backseat is by the kitchen door. I removed it for our ride to the airport tomorrow morning.”

  “Sounds like everything’s organized. Mom and Grandma made sure of that tonight with your packing, I hear.” He chuckled.

  “Yeah, it was sweet of them to do that. I’m so lucky to have you guys as my family.”

  He raised his glass to her. “We’re fortunate, too. I know we’d all be so lost if you ever moved away.” He took a drink.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Jo tapped her lap. “Come here, girl.” Mollie’s head bobbed onto her knees, the soft fur soothing under Jo’s fingers.

  “I know you’re packed and have your passport by the door, but what about you?” Robert tilted his head. “Are you ready for this?”

  “Yes, I am. I need to do something to try to forget about Sam. I could continue replacing all of the flooring in this house or go lie on a beach somewhere. Who knows what’s best, but I may as well do something that’s at least making our mothers happy.”

  Robert’s eyebrows furrowed as he leaned toward her. “I was thinking about things. I still can’t believe Sam would have done that to you.”

  “You hardly even knew her.” Jo felt her blood pressure rising, the anger against Sam still so strong.

  “I know, but Grandma’s a pretty good judge of character.” Robert shifted, a crease still in his forehead. “She really liked Sam and is still reeling over what happened. She called me up last night and asked if I knew how you were doing.”

  “And what did you tell her?” Jo’s hand stilled against Mollie.

  “That I thought it was great the three of you are going away and a vacation like that would be good for everyone.” He paused to sip his drink. “I also told her your heart was broken and healing would take time.”

  “Did she say anything about Sam?”

  “Yes. She said she had a mind to contact Sam herself and ask what was going on.”

  Jo’s heart hiccupped. “Oh God, no. I hope you told her not to.”

  “Of course I did. Grandma really thought Sam was taken with you and feels something’s not right.”

  “Something isn’t right. I fell in love with Sam. I need to move on and the timing of this trip is one of the best things right now. I’d better get to bed. See you in a few hours.”

  Jo knew she would hardly sleep at all that night, but at least got under her covers. Her mind was racing with fear of sleeping in and missing her flight, or worse yet, getting to their destination and falling apart on foreign soil. Then she’d really be in trouble.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Vehicle exhaust wafted around the headlights of the idling truck in the frigid night air. Jo had backed her pickup out of the garage to let it warm up before Robert chauffeured them to the airport.

  Out of bed at three thirty, Jo showered, had her first coffee by four, and wanted to crawl back under the covers by four fifteen. She knew her travel companions would be excited and full of exuberant chitchat on the way to the airport. Jo would have no part of it as she pined over Sam. She just wanted to mull in private over the woman who had reached her heart and set it sparking again only to end in disaster.

  She resented Sam more than ever. How dare someone mess with her emotions like that? Jo would never again let herself get sucked in by someone. Her heart was dismantled, bankrupt, out of business for good.

  “I think we should head out soon.” Jo knelt by her back door, giving soothing hugs to Mollie, cuddling the whimpering dog. “It’s okay, girl. I’ll be back in a week and you’ll have lots of fun with Robert.”

  Robert rushed into the kitchen, pulling a sweater over his head. “Mom already texted me twice, asking where we are. Any coffee left?”

  “That red insulated mug on the counter is yours. Sugar and cream included.”

  “Oh, you’re such a sweetie, Aunt Jo.”

  “It’s more like a bribe. We do need to get going.” Jo stood, kissing the top of Mollie’s head. She wiped away a tear.

  Snow crunched under their boots on the trek to the truck and a trail of exhaust hung in the air as they pulled away. Robert was at the wheel and Jo watched her house disappear as they turned onto the road. She was happy for him to drive, shivering in the passenger seat and preparing to shut down for the week in a mindless state of recuperation. That was Jo’s plan for renewing a life that felt like it had been clear-cut by Sam and left on its own to regenerate.

  When they got to Anna’s, the front porch light glared and she stood waiting just inside the storm door. The glass was completely frosted, except for the small peephole Anna’s breath had formed. She stepped outside, struggling to get her suitcase through the door, and put her key in the lock as Robert hurried to take her luggage.

  “Oh my God, it’s cold out this morning.” Anna slid into the backseat. She was only wearing an orange summer jacket. “Here, Robert, put my bag on the seat beside me then hurry up and close the door.”

  “I can’t believe this is the same woman who used to nag at me for not dressing warm enough.” Robert buckled back in and they left.

  “This is different.” Anna tapped Jo’s shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re coming with us. Our trip’s going to be a lot of fun.”

  “I’m looking forward to some downtime,” Jo said. “I hope you and Mom will be okay with me staying back at the resort if you decide to book any day tours.”

  “We’ll figure that out later,” Anna said. “Oh look, Mom’s already outside waiting for us. Doesn’t she look like the little lost hobo standing there with her suitcase in tow?”

  “Mom, Grandma looks just as excited as you.” Robert stopped in front of his grandmother’s driveway. “At least she’s dressed for the weather and wearing her parka instead of a flimsy summer jacket.”

  “Good morning, everyone.” Their mother was at the truck, her luggage waiting in the snow for her grandson to retrieve. “I hope my girls are ready to have some fun in the sun because I sure am.”

  When they got to the airport, passengers were already heading through security as the waiting plane warmed on the tarmac. Jo sat beside a stranger on the flight to Toronto, scrunched up against the window and trying to block out her trepidation at being back in the airport of misery.

  The descent began. Jo’s eyes closed, her teeth clenched in fury, and the pit of her stomach burned. She’d passed on a coffee or any type of snack during the flight, but still felt nauseous. A dip through turbulence sent her stomach reeling and her eyes opened to suburbia below.

  Headlights beamed from tiny cars in the early morning Toronto traffic. Everything looked a dirty gray. There was no snow, and the trees were bare. Even the cloudy sky seemed to shroud the city with an aura of doom and gloom. At least that’s how Jo felt as an overwhelming bitterness consumed her.

  The plane circled over neighborhoods while waiting for its turn to land and Jo began to wonder if she was flying over anywhere near Sam’s house. Was she comfortably cuddled up in bed beneath them with someone new? Or was she still reveling in her ability to fool two women who loved her? How many other broken hearts had she left behind?

  Jo determined to mend hers, like she’d done before, and would take the week in Punta Cana to pull herself together. She put her unread forestry magazine away and braced for landing. In two hours they’d be back in the sky and on their way to paradise, so the vacation brochure said.

  Sam sipped coffee as she scanned the Saturday morning paper. Trish was still in bed, so she took the luxury of sitting alone at her dining table and planning her trip to Timmins. The interview at Maxwell and Associates had been set up for Monday afternoon.

  She would take a morning flight, pick up her rental car at the airport, attend the interview, then go to Jo’s right afterward. She envisioned a surprised Jo answering the door. She’d have to know Sam was serious, going all the way back to Timmins to talk to her.


  Returning to Toronto without talking to Jo was not an option. Sam would figure out some way to make it happen even if the door was slammed in her face. She needed to get the woman of her dreams to give her a break and listen. Surely Jo would realize the mistake and things would go back to where they were supposed to be.

  Instead of snuggling in bed with Jo on this dreary Saturday morning, she was preparing for the interview. The newspaper folded back up and her coffee in hand, she hurried back to her room of study materials. Now was not the time to relax.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Whirring airplane motors droned against the quiet as awed passengers gazed at aqua-blue beaches below. Descent had begun toward the Punta Cana International Airport. Julia sat on the aisle and leaned over Jo in the middle seat to share the window view with Anna.

  “It’s so beautiful.” Anna was giddy. “I can hardly wait to get in the water.”

  “We should be at the resort in time for a late lunch,” her mother said. “We’ll eat first before heading to the beach. Maybe some of the lounge chairs will have freed up by then as people start to get ready for dinner.”

  “I’ve been dieting and going to the gym all week so I can eat guilt-free while we’re here,” Anna said.

  “It’ll be so nice not to have to cook.” Her mother leaned back in her seat. “It’s time to wake up, Jo. We’re almost there.”

  “Are we?” Jo feigned a yawn, fully aware of the imminent landing.

  “Oh Jo, you have to see this.” Anna tugged her sister’s arm. “The color of the water is such a magnificent teal blue. It’s just breath-taking, especially after all the snow we’ve had.”

  Jo rolled her head toward the window, a clear blue sky beaming back. She sighed with sadness. Her thoughts during the flight had been on Sam, replaying the disastrous meeting in Toronto. “I like the snow.”

  “Then you’ll love the sandy white beaches,” Anna said. “It’ll be just like walking in snow, except in sandals or bare feet instead of big boots. Come on. Have a look before we land.”