Lake Season

by Denise Hunter

  “No, honey, I’m glad you told me. I’m excited. And a little scared, I’ll admit.” She gave a choked laugh. “What if he doesn’t want to meet me? Is he married? His wife might not welcome this news. I probably have siblings—but they might not welcome the news either.”

  “I guess we’ll have to play all that by ear. I don’t know what his health is like. He mentioned something about his heart, but I couldn’t tell if that meant he had heart problems. I imagine this will all come as quite a shock.”

  “That’s right. You mentioned he was in a nursing home. He might be in poor health. Maybe you should feel out the situation first. I don’t want any harm to come to him, and I don’t want to cause his family any grief.” But he could tell by her tone the idea saddened her.

  They talked it over and decided that would ultimately be the best thing.

  Now he just had to tell Molly what they’d discovered.

  forty-two

  Molly smiled at the retired couple who had just checked in. “Here are your keys. I’ll show you around a bit, then take you to your room.”

  As she stepped from behind the counter the desk phone rang. Letting calls go to voice mail was a good way to lose business.

  Fortunately Levi waltzed over at just the right time. “I can show them around if you want to get the phone.” He gave the couple a winning smile. “I’m Levi, one of the owners. I’m so glad you could join us.”

  “Fred and Joann Baker. Nice to meet you.”

  “What brings you to the area?” Levi asked as he led them toward the library.

  The Bakers in good hands, Molly took the phone call and was glad she’d caught it. The woman was calling on behalf of a company that wanted to book a staff retreat. Molly answered her questions and felt like dancing a jig when she booked every room for four days in November.

  When she finished the call it was almost her shift’s end. She was eager to get upstairs and see if Grace had made any progress locating Lizzie and Ben’s daughter. She’d checked in midafternoon and there’d been nothing to report. Molly knew it was a long shot. But Benjamin deserved to know the truth, and it would be hard to deliver the news when they had no clue where his child was.

  She tidied up the counter, remembering her talk with Adam outside Miss Nonnie’s house. Even though the circumstances had been serious, it was good to chat with him. She’d missed the sound of his voice, the scent of his cologne, and his shy mannerisms. Even now, she was more looking forward to tomorrow’s two-hour drive than to meeting Benjamin at long last.

  She gave her head a shake. Not good, Molly. You have to forget about Adam.

  But she couldn’t help but think of what Skye had said yesterday. She had been avoiding relationships since Dominic. And then she’d started letting Adam in—who was she kidding? She’d completely fallen for Adam.

  Her chest constricted at the thought. True, he shouldn’t have let her believe Jordan was Nathaniel Quinn. But what he’d done wasn’t the same as what Dominic had done. Now that a little time had passed she could see that clearly. Especially in light of his sincere apology and explanation.

  But she wasn’t sure she was ready to trust anyone with her heart again. Skye had been right about all of it, darn her. Somewhere along the way Molly had let fear take root in her life. It had sunk down deep, gaining a death grip.

  Molly pulled out her phone and found the scriptures Skye had sent her. She’d been reading through them, letting them soak in, praying over them, every chance she got. It was the only way fear would ever loosen its grip. None of the verses was new to her, but they’d taken on special meaning. She held tightly to them.

  She read her favorite again, absorbing the promise. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

  In her mind, she knew it was true. But she wanted to believe it with her whole heart. She wanted to be so certain of the promise that she didn’t question when bad things happened or when people did hurtful things. She wanted to be so certain that she could lay her heart on the line, knowing that God would use any hurt for her own good.

  She wasn’t there yet. But she wanted to be.

  Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and her heart rate accelerated when she saw the name on the screen.

  She cleared her throat and tapped the button. “Hey, Adam.”

  “Molly. I’m glad I caught you. Are you working right now?”

  “Um . . .” She checked the time. Her heart rate was twice what it had been before his call. “I’m actually getting off right now. What’s up?”

  “Is there any way we can meet somewhere? Or can I come over? I have something I need to tell you—it’s about Benjamin and Lizzie’s child.”

  “Did you find something? Grace isn’t having much luck, I’m afraid.”

  “You should probably call her off. I think we have all the information we need.”

  She blinked. “Oh! That was fast.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  She should probably just have him tell her over the phone, but she couldn’t resist the chance to see him. Maybe he felt the same since he was asking to meet. The thought set butterflies loose in her stomach.

  “I can’t wait to hear. Want to meet at the park? Say, in twenty minutes?”

  “Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

  Just then she heard Levi’s footsteps on the stairs as he returned from showing the Bakers to their room.

  Molly skirted the desk and passed him on her way upstairs. “Your turn. And I must say your timing has been stellar today.”

  “I try. Has the Murdock party checked in yet?”

  “No, they’ll be here after check-in hours. They already know the drill.”

  “Where are you headed in such a rush?”

  “Meeting Adam at the park.”

  “Adam? I thought you guys had a falling-out.”

  “It’s complicated,” she said over her shoulder.

  He muttered something as she reached the top of the staircase.

  She opened her mouth to tell him she loved him. Then she closed it again. She was pretty sure he already knew.

  Twenty minutes later Molly pulled into the park. She’d loosened her hair from her ponytail and put on her favorite white shorts with a red top that Adam had complimented her on once before. As she scanned the park for him, she tried not to think too hard about why she’d taken such pains.

  She found him sitting on top of a picnic table in the gazebo. He was facing the lake, elbows planted on his knees.

  Molly followed the paved pathway along the grassy peninsula. It was a beautiful park, well maintained and full of colorful blooms. The scent of jasmine carried over on a breeze, its sweet scent reminding her of her mother. Two swans floated by, their movements so fluid on the water they seemed to be gliding.

  The white gazebo, straight ahead, was large enough to seat about a hundred guests, making it a popular wedding venue during the warmer months. Currently it was empty except for a few picnic tables—and Adam, of course.

  He wore khakis and a blue polo that she knew matched the shade of his eyes perfectly. The warm breeze tousled his hair as he stared out over the lake. He seemed deep in thought, and she wondered again what he’d discovered.

  It occurred to her that it might be bad news. What if Lizzie and Ben’s daughter had passed away? Maybe that’s why he wanted to tell her in person—he knew she’d be upset. Her heart sank at the thought. What would they tell Benjamin then?

  Adam spotted her and gave a wave as she neared.

  “Hey,” she called, trying to assess his mood but coming up short.

  His smile seemed a little off, and his eyes looked strained at the corners. His fingers beat out a tempo on his thighs. She’d never seem him fidgety.

  Her heart twisted in dread. Please, God. Don’t let it be bad news. Help us give this poor man some closure—the good kind.

  When she reached the table she perched on top, leaving plent
y of space between them. The surface of the table was rough and warm against her palms.

  “Thanks for coming,” he said. “I realized after we got off the phone that I should’ve suggested dinner. You’re probably hungry after working your shift. But I couldn’t eat right now if I tried.”

  Her smile faltered. “What’s going on, Adam? Is it bad news? Is their daughter dead?”

  He met her gaze. “No. It’s not bad news. Sorry to worry you. It’s actually good news . . . It’s just been a bit of a shock. I don’t even know where to start.”

  Relief washed over her. “Okay, well, how about the beginning?”

  He gave a wry laugh. “That goes back a ways. But all right. I suppose that’s as good a spot as any.”

  She waited a moment while he collected his thoughts.

  “So my mom—I mentioned that she was adopted . . .”

  “Yes, you said that’s how she developed an interest in ancestry.”

  “Right. Well, when she turned eighteen her parents—the ones who raised her—gave her the name of her birth mother. They wanted her to have the chance to find her if she chose. So before I was born Mom started looking—and unfortunately she discovered that her birth mom had passed away some years earlier.”

  “Oh, how sad. She must’ve been so upset.” Molly wondered if this project had stirred up negative emotions for his mother. She’d helped them with the search after all.

  “I’m sure she was. But she had terrific parents who loved her like crazy, so I think she was able to process it in a healthy manner and move forward with her life.”

  “What about her birth father? Did she ever search for him?”

  “She never found out anything about him.” Adam’s eyes connected with hers and hung on with power that was magnetizing. She couldn’t look away even if she tried. There was something there in that intense look . . . but she had no idea what.

  “Molly . . .” he said finally. “My mom’s birth mother’s name was Elizabeth Van Buren.”

  Molly blinked even as a chill swept over her, lifting gooseflesh on her arms. She stared into Adam’s blue eyes.

  “What?” Her voice was no more than a breathy whisper.

  “I know it sounds crazy.” His voice was low and fervent. “But I spoke with my mom on the phone today, and she said some things that jogged my memory. Her dad was a banker—I’d forgotten about that—and they’re from Texas, of course. I’d never heard her birth mother’s name, but when she told me . . . She was from Bluebell, Molly. Benjamin Schwartz is my mom’s father.”

  Molly was shaking her head, trying to assimilate the facts. It didn’t add up. It was too big a coincidence. Adam being here in Bluebell, at her inn. He was from New York, his mom from Texas, both hundreds of miles from here.

  “But how . . . how could it be that you happen to be here, and I find the letter and . . .”

  “Yes, I know. The timing is inconceivable. But I came to Bluebell on my mom’s recommendation. She visited in her twenties after she found out who her birth mother was. I guess she wanted to connect with her in some way since she’d already passed. She fell in love with the place. She’s been telling me for years I should set a story here.”

  He ducked his head. Of course he’d never mentioned this to Molly because she hadn’t known he was an author. He’d been trying to keep his “research” vague.

  “So when I got stuck for an idea,” he continued, “I decided to come here and see if it was all she said. I was hoping for a little inspiration.”

  Now that the missing pieces were filled in, it was all making sense in some bizarre, miraculous way. The scripture she’d been repeating whispered in her heart. All things work together for the good of those who love God . . .

  “Can you believe it?” Adam asked, chuckling in wonder. “Benjamin Schwartz is my grandfather, Molly.”

  She put her hand over his, looking into his eyes. “Oh, Adam . . . That’s so wonderful. Have you told your mom yet?”

  “I have.” He laughed. “I think she was shell-shocked. She’s been texting me every two minutes since we got off the phone.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  His smile fell away, his look becoming intent again. “Molly . . . I’ve never had God’s work in my life be so . . . blatant. I mean, I’ve seen Him work in my life so many times. But this particular situation is so convoluted and layered, it would be impossible not to see it as His handiwork.”

  “Yes, I see what you mean.” She realized her hand was still on his and drew it away.

  But he caught it in his, wrapping his other hand around it too.

  Her face heated at the touch. At the look in his eyes.

  “You were a huge part of this, Molly. You found the letter and needed answers. You invited me along on the journey. And no matter what happens . . . I’ll always be thankful for that.”

  No matter what happens . . . Her eyes stung with tears.

  “I know I have no right to ask. But later, when we’ve had a chance to digest all that’s happened, I hope . . . I hope you might be able to forgive me. And I hope you might even find it within yourself to give me a chance—to give us a chance. I know I blew it. But I really care about you, Molly. I hope you know that.”

  Her heart melted at his words. At the sincerity so obvious in his expression. She’d already forgiven him, and Adam was worthy of a second chance.

  But Dominic had seemed sincere too. And she’d been so wrong about him. And even if Adam was the man she believed him to be, he still had the power to break her heart. At just the thought of it, her heart felt as though it might explode from her chest, and the muscles in her chest tightened painfully. The burgeoning fear rising up in her was all the proof she needed.

  A tear slipped down her cheek. She tried to remember the scriptures she’d been repeating to herself, but she couldn’t think past the powerful swell of emotion.

  “I do forgive you, Adam, but—” She couldn’t even put into words the fear that held her back.

  Adam squeezed her hand, then let it go, a pained smile on his lips. “It’s all right, Molly. I get it. Thank you for forgiving me. That’s more than I deserve. It’s been a real pleasure getting to know you.”

  Molly breathed a laugh. “You sound like you’re saying good-bye.”

  “Not just yet. But I’m heading back to New York day after tomorrow. I’ve already arranged my flight.”

  Panic spread through her body like a poison. “But . . . but what about your book? Don’t you have a lot of work left to do on it?”

  “I’ll figure out the rest back home.” His sad smile about broke her heart. “It’s time I go home.”

  The ache in Molly’s chest spread outward. At the thought of his leaving, that familiar fear swamped over her. But this wasn’t the last time she was seeing Adam. They’d be together all day tomorrow.

  No, this was different. This time the fear wasn’t about parting badly. It was about lost opportunity.

  Who are you kidding, Molly? It’s about lost love.

  A knot swelled in her throat even as her breaths grew shallow. Oh, God, do I really love him? And what am I supposed do with that? You know I’m not ready for this. I can’t even—

  He slid off the picnic table, coming to his feet. “Well . . . I should probably call my mom. She’s full of questions about tomorrow.”

  Molly swallowed hard, trying to shove all the emotions down deep. “I’m sure she is. We can handle that however she wants. I’m sure she’d love to meet him.”

  “Yeah, we can talk about that tomorrow on the drive up. I’ll pick you up at eight?”

  Two hours alone in the car with him. She suddenly didn’t know if her heart could take it. She dredged up a smile. “Yeah. Sounds good.”

  He backed away, the pained smile lingering on his lips. “See you tomorrow, Molly,” he said. And then he was gone.

  forty-three

  The next morning Adam had a lot on his mind. Molly’s rejection battled with worry over his
upcoming meeting with Benjamin for top spot. But since he’d mostly stewed over the former all night, the latter took precedence this morning.

  When he picked up Molly she was her usual sunshiny self.

  She handed him several copies of the newspaper photo of Benjamin and Lizzie dancing at Gibby’s. “Thought you and your mom might want copies. Did you get much sleep?”

  “Enough. Good idea, thanks. Benjamin might like a copy too. Got the letters?”

  “Right here.” She held up three envelopes: the original lost letter and the two letters Nonnie had given them.

  As they headed out of town Molly launched into a conversation about their rapidly approaching meeting with Ben. Once Adam had explained his mom’s feelings on the matter, they agreed to play it by ear. Adam would make the final call. If Benjamin was in poor health or if Adam felt it might cause him hardship they wouldn’t give him Nonnie’s letters or tell him about Lizzie’s pregnancy—at least not today.

  After that was settled Molly began quizzing him on his writing process. He squirmed at first, as this was the thing that had come between them. But he soon forgot that in light of her insatiable curiosity. He wasn’t used to talking about writing with anyone outside his publishing team. Molly wanted to know everything there was to know, and he found the time flying by.

  As they drew closer to Knoxville his thoughts turned to Benjamin, and his palms grew damp against the steering wheel. What would he be like? Would Adam be able to see any of his mother in the man? Any of himself?

  Would he have the chance to tell Benjamin who he was? He’d been praying for wisdom since yesterday. He wanted to do the right thing, but it would be difficult and disappointing to walk away without telling Benjamin the truth.

  “You all right?” Molly asked. “You’re looking a little pale over there.”

  He ran his sweaty palms down his legs one at a time. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

  “Because you’re about to see the grandfather you’ve never met?” She gave him a wry smile. “It’s going to be all right. God didn’t bring us this far to let us down now.”