Mark couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Couldn’t get out of Corinthia fast enough.
As he started the car and peeled away from the curb, an ache seared his chest, squeezing until he thought it might bruise his heart. He would never belong in this town. No matter what his dad thought of him. No matter what Hannah and her kids thought of him.
If he couldn’t get a flight out of Atlanta tonight, he’d climb back in the rental car and start driving. Because he couldn’t get out of Georgia fast enough.
Chapter Ten
Hannah pushed past the hurt and forced her mind off Mark’s leaving. She needed to focus on the challenge at hand. She refused to call her mother and tell her she’d won. But she still needed child care.
She first called Gabe for recommendations on college students who were home for the summer. After trying all three girls, and finding they already had jobs, she still didn’t have a babysitter for the next day. It looked as if she would have to call her mother after all.
But not yet. She couldn’t deal with Donna gloating, not when she felt so sad and defeated.
After a late, and very quiet, dinner of peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches—which reminded the kids of Mark—they trudged to their rooms, moping.
When she went to check on them, Emily and Eric sat together on the bed looking at an I Spy book. No yelling. No competing to see who found an item first.
Curled up in her favorite chair, Becca read her newest library book.
Tony lay curled up on his bed, and it broke Hannah’s heart. He’d opened his wounded heart to Mark, only to have him leave.
“Hey, sweetie. You okay?” She rubbed his back.
“Yeah.”
The way he was curved, she could feel each vertebra, could count them. “Are you sad that Mark’s leaving?”
He shrugged.
“I’ll miss him, too.”
He sniffed. “You will?”
How could she not? “Yes. He’s a kind man. Fun to have around. And very helpful.”
“So, do you like him?”
“Yes. He’s nice.”
“I mean like him like him.”
What would her son know about that type of liking someone? “As a boyfriend? No. We’re just friends.”
“Well, if he’s your friend, why is he leaving?”
Because sometimes life wasn’t fair. “This isn’t his home. He lives in Washington State.”
“Well, shouldn’t he live where his dad and his friends live?”
Good point. She patted his back. “That’s where his job is. People live where they work.”
He rolled to his back and looked at her with those thoughtful, inquisitive green eyes. “Is Washington State farther away than Heaven?”
Pain snatched the very air from her lungs and left her aching, wanting to lie down in a little ball and join her son. “No, baby. It’s a long way, but it’s here in the United States. You can fly there on an airplane.”
And Mark was about to do just that.
What if she asked him to stay? She nearly had earlier. Would it have made a difference?
Tony’s eyes widened. “Can we fly there sometime?”
“Someday. We sure will.”
What if she went to him and admitted her feelings? Would he consider selling his company?
Her heart thudded up into her throat. He could say no.
But he could say yes.
She hurried to the phone and dialed Redd. “I need a big favor. Could you please hurry home and watch the children for me?”
“Everything okay?”
“I need to go catch your son before he leaves.”
“I’m locking up and walking out the door as we speak.”
Bless his heart. Not only was she falling in love with Mark, she loved his father, as well.
She hurried to get the children ready for bed. And hoped she got to Ann’s house in time.
Mark showered and changed. He didn’t have much to pack. Had been washing and wearing the same four changes of clothes the whole time. He threw the clothes back in the bag, loaded the car and spent a few minutes with Ann.
“Thank the good Lord you and your daddy made up. I expect to see you soon.”
“I promise.” He hugged her, breathing in her perfume. “You taking me in means more to me than I can ever repay.”
“Oh, it was no bother at all. I loved your company.”
“You’re a kind, generous woman. I hope I can return the favor for somebody else someday.”
She kissed his cheek, blinked at tears. “Go on, now, before you make me start crying. Besides, you don’t need to be driving so late.”
His insides warmed that someone cared about his safety, like a mom would. He waved and headed to the car.
As he shifted into Reverse, a vehicle pulled in behind—the green minivan.
Hannah. Hannah had come.
He turned off the car and climbed out, his heart pumping in his chest. The sun had set, and the streetlight illuminated the end of the driveway. He thought she might be smiling, but the shadows made it impossible to tell. She approached so slowly, he held his breath. “Everything okay?”
“It is now that I caught you in time.” She stopped right in front of him, so close he could smell her flowery, sweet scent.
This time, instead of holding back, he brushed his fingers through the silky strands of hair at the side of her face. “Did you need something?”
She nuzzled his hand, sending electrons zipping through the circuits of his body. “Yes. I need you.”
Blood rushed to his head. She needs me? “Something wrong at the house?”
“Yes, definitely.” She smiled up at him.
And he knew she could ask for anything…everything…and he would try to get it for her. “I can stop by there now. My flight doesn’t leave until 5:00 a.m.”
“I don’t think you quite understand.”
“I must be missing something here.”
“Please don’t go back to Seattle. Stay, finish your vacation. Take more time to consider relocating. Back here. With me.”
But he had to go now. If she kept standing that close, asking him to stay, he wouldn’t be able to leave.
Ever.
“I’m leaving to make life easier for you. Let me be the hero for once.” He smiled, but it went crooked. He’d heard those ladies talking earlier. He was no hero in Corinthia. No matter how hard he tried, he’d never be accepted in this town.
“Mark, I want you to stay.” She looked into his eyes, hers pleading. “My children are moping and miss you already.”
He tilted up her chin. “And what about their mom? Would she miss me, as well?”
“Yes, terribly.”
She was scared to admit it. But he could see the need in her eyes. The confusion, too. Which he understood perfectly.
He ran his thumb along her velvety cheek. “I think neither of us is ready to closely examine our feelings.”
“We can take our time. And meanwhile, maybe you can connect with those potential corporate buyers, consider the possibilities?”
When she was this close, he thought anything was possible. “Okay, I’ll stay for now, finish my vacation. But I’ll only consider relocating if I can win over Donna.”
A smile lit her eyes, making them sparkle in the streetlight. “Thank you. We at least have a chance to see what happens.”
“I know what I want to happen right this minute.” His eyes dropped to her lips. Slowly, he lowered his head, giving her time to move away. Time to change her mind about getting involved with the totally wrong man. With a man her mother loathed.
She didn’t budge. And then she touche
d him, her hand as light as a butterfly on his chest. “Mark,” she said on a whisper, so close that his name brushed across his own lips.
It was the only invitation he needed. He touched his lips to hers, trying to take it slow and give her time to back out. But as soon as she wrapped her arms around his neck, he was lost.
Lost in the moment. In the taste of her. In the need to be closer. His heart thundered as he deepened the kiss. Longing for…for…
For more than two weeks. Longing for love. Commitment. A lifetime…
She pulled away, gasping for air the same as he did.
She touched her lips. “That’s the first—” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Whoa. He needed to consider her feelings and be tender. “The first time you’ve kissed a man since your husband?”
She nodded. He thought she might cry, so he hugged her close. Ran his hands through her hair. “It’s okay. He would want you to be happy.”
“I know,” she whispered against his chest. “And I’m good. Really. The tears are because I’m relieved to move on.”
But he wasn’t relieved at all. He’d never experienced a kiss like that. Never experienced what they’d shared. And it shook him to the core.
He loved Hannah Hughes.
How would he ever leave Corinthia now?
Hannah’s toes were still curled. Her lips still tingled. Even ten hours after what she had begun to think of as The Kiss.
She closed her eyes and swayed on her feet.
She’d been as excited to see Mark as the kids had been when they heard he was staying longer.
“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Emily asked.
Laughter wanted to bubble up and out. “Oh, nothing, sweetie.” She tossed the dish towel onto the counter. “Come on, now, finish your breakfast before Mark gets here.”
“Yeah!” Tony yelled as he raced to put his cereal bowl in the dishwasher. “I hope we prime the rocking chairs today.”
“Looks like beautiful weather ahead, so maybe you can.” The happy, excited faces of her children made everything brighter. She looked forward to the day.
And maybe that kiss had just a little to do with her high spirits. That and the fact Mark seemed to care about her. Her. He’d hung with her through adversity. Had been there when she needed him.
And he’d agreed to stay longer.
A few minutes later, a horn honked outside. The kids raced to meet Mark’s car as Hannah waited on the porch, hesitant to face him. Would he see the love on her face in the light of day? See her need for him?
He hugged each child, but the whole time, he stared toward her, as if he only had eyes for her.
Yes, he sees me. Not my sister. Not my mother. Not our past.
She smiled at him, no longer embarrassed. “You’re early.”
He walked up the steps and stopped a couple of feet away, as if aware the kids were watching every move. “Wouldn’t miss a minute with this bunch.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to know I have someone to depend on.”
“No matter what happens or where I live, you can always depend on me, Hannah.”
The way he said her name—husky, sincere—and the intensity of his gaze…
His golden eyes rooted her to the spot. Could she really depend on him? Experience told her not to depend on others. They could let her down, or get sick, even die. Or choose other priorities over her.
She reached inside the door and grabbed her purse. “I should go. I’ve got to stop by the coffee shop to place an order for a breakfast meeting. Even so, I’ll be early at the bank this morning.” The joy she’d felt all morning actually did bubble out into a laugh this time. “The tellers won’t know what to do.”
As she walked by him, he reached out and grasped her hand. A discreet, passing touch. “Have a great day.”
The touch and warmth of his tone sent her heart rate into the stratosphere. “Thanks, Mark. For everything.”
As she waited in the short line at Faith’s coffee shop, she spotted a table of ladies, including—surprisingly—her mom, who waved her over. She pointed to her watch. “Can’t. I need to get to work.”
But Faith’s employees served the line quickly, so she made a stop by the table. “Good morning, ladies.”
With a big grin on her face, Olivia leaned toward Hannah. “Did you hear Mark Ryker was going to leave town, had loaded the car, then suddenly changed his mind?”
Ann gave Hannah a distressed look. “Oh, now, Olivia, we don’t need to be talking about his business.”
“No one told me about this,” Donna said. “I’ve been here a half hour. Why didn’t someone mention it?”
Hannah’s stomach clenched into a tight, painful knot. “Got to go to work. Just wanted to stop by and say hello.”
“You know something?” Donna asked as she grabbed Hannah’s arm to stop her.
Ann’s neighbor Jeannie waved her hand, as if excited to take her turn to enlighten everyone. “I saw him load his luggage into the car around nine last night. I assumed he’d left.”
“I heard a certain someone stopped him,” Olivia said with a thrilled smile, as if she couldn’t be happier about it. She tried not to look at Hannah, but her eyes darted that direction anyway.
Had someone witnessed their kiss? The thought of someone invading their private moment, a moment so special, made her queasy.
“He’s bad news,” her mom said. “I sure hope no one I know made the mistake of getting involved with him.”
“He’s not bad news,” Hannah snapped. “You’re judging him by his behavior fifteen years ago. He’s grown up. Has been through a lot. And is a Christian man with a good heart.” She sucked in air after her tirade, and it turned into a big gasp.
But it wasn’t as big as the gasp that came out of her mother. “Oh, Hannah. No. You didn’t fall for him.” Her eyes probed Hannah’s, searching for denial.
Everyone at the table went silent. Still. Waiting. Even as Hannah knew all her mother would see was confirmation.
Ann clutched Hannah’s hand. Hannah knew the tight grip meant she was praying.
Hannah raised her chin and looked her mother in the eye. “Yes. I have feelings for him. He’s helping me as we speak. Changed his plans to stay longer. He’ll watch the children for me until I can arrange day care.”
Donna stood, bumping her chair backward across the floor, causing it to tip over. The slap of the wood on the tile floor echoed through the now-quiet café. “If you start seeing that Ryker man,” she spat with venom, “I won’t have any contact with you or the kids. None. I won’t condone a relationship that I know will be devastating for you and my grandbabies.”
If she didn’t let go of this ridiculous grudge, Mark would leave. “Mom, please. Give him a chance to prove himself.”
Wringing her hands in front of her chest, she blinked at tears. “You’re out of my life until you send him packing.”
Ann’s grip tightened, mashing Hannah’s fingers until they hurt. Hannah squeezed back even tighter. “If your grudge is stronger than your love for your grandchildren, then maybe they’re better off.”
The color drained from Donna’s red face.
Hannah couldn’t bear to look at the women around the table. Tears burned her eyes as she let go of Ann and struggled to make it out of the café before breaking down.
But as she walked outside into the fresh morning air and breathed in deeply, peace only God could provide washed over her. This is the right thing to do.
She walked to the bank, having no idea how it would work out. Only that with God’s help, it would work out.
As long as Mark could wait for God’s timing. As long as he cared enough to try.
Chapter Eleven
O
n Saturday morning, Mark rang the doorbell of Hannah’s home—yes, he’d come to think of it as her home now. Though Redd had invited him to stay in the garage apartment, he’d decided to continue staying with Ann, who had more room.
He stuck his head inside and hollered, “I need some workers to help paint the porch railing!”
The tramping of little feet echoed upstairs, as well as from the kitchen area. The ruckus got louder as they all reached the front door at the same time.
“I’ll help!” Tony shouted over his siblings, who were also volunteering with hands raised.
Hannah arrived a few seconds later in rolled-up denim overalls with her hair in a ponytail on top of her head. Barefoot. “I’m ready to work, too.”
“You look…amazing. Beautiful.”
She glanced down at her worn work clothes. “In these old things?”
All he could see was the woman he’d grown to care about. Sweet. Kind. And wanting to spend time with him. “In anything,” he rasped. Before he made a fool of himself, he turned and led them outside.
The refurbished chairs now sat proudly on the front porch, a reminder of better times. And now a promise…maybe…of happy times to come. But the porch rails were chipped and peeling.
“Why don’t you and the kids trim the shrubbery while I sand the railing?”
“I’ll help you,” Tony said. Then he leaned closer and whispered, “It’s man’s work.”
“Sure is. I’d appreciate your help.”
They worked without a break until lunchtime. Then after a quick meal of egg-salad sandwiches, they started the priming and painting. Mark put down drop cloths. He’d have to do some cleaning up from letting the little ones help. But seeing their smiles and sense of accomplishment would be worth every drip and smear of paint.
After an hour or so, Hannah got worried about the kids getting sunburned, even with sunscreen. So she took them inside to rest and read. Then she rejoined him outside.
He put down his paintbrush and asked her to sit with him on the top step. His heart thrilled when she sat close, her leg touching his, at ease. Resting his arm around her waist felt as natural as breathing.
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