A House Full of Hope

by Missy Tippens

  Oh, please say it. Say you love me, too.

  “I can’t drive a wedge between your family and your mom. I can’t be that person again—the bad boy everyone loathes. I need acceptance. Respect.” He stepped away from her, and then he rubbed his hands up and down her arms, as if he knew how his words had chilled her to the bone. “I need to respect myself.”

  “But I think you care for me, too.” So brazen. She couldn’t believe she’d said it, but she was going for broke here. “All my life, I’ve been in Sydney’s shadow. But you noticed me. You’ve made me feel special, wanted. Loved.” The last barely came out in a whisper.

  He lifted her chin and stared into her eyes, his expression serious, sad. He looked like a man torn. “I do see you. Only you. And I want all this, truly I do.”

  “Then give us a chance. We’ll figure it out. I love my sister and my mother, but I don’t want to miss out on this chance at happiness for us, and for my children.”

  “I want that, too. But not when our relationship is causing strife in your family.”

  The agony on his face tore at her heart. She reached up and touched his cheek, roughened by the stubble of his beard. “You’re trying to be honorable. And I respect that.” She exhaled, letting go of the frustration. “We’ll just have to be patient.”

  “Okay.” He kissed her palm, the touch of his lips shooting flames along her arm. His lips moved to the inside of her wrist, where he placed the softest of kisses, which left her weak and sighing.

  The next thing she knew, he’d enveloped her in his arms and was kissing her as if his life depended on it.

  She poured everything into that kiss—every hurt, every longing, every hope—as if she feared it might be their last.

  He responded in kind, each press of his lips a silent declaration of his hope for a future together.

  He might not be able to tell her he loved her. But she knew he did. In his own honorable way.

  The thought gave her hope. He cared enough to stick around, to help with her kids. As long as Mark didn’t shut her out, they had a fighting chance.

  Mark stood in front of the mirror at Ann’s house buttoning his cuffs, smiling. He had a date that night. A real date—no minors as chaperones.

  He’d spent the past few days babysitting Hannah’s children and spending time with them as a family—Hannah and Redd included. On his trips to town, folks in the community gradually acted more friendly. Maybe Ann’s influence. Or his dad’s. Either way, they appeared to accept him and accept that he was a part of Hannah’s life. He had hope the tide was turning.

  He, Hannah and the kids had even run into Donna at the coffee shop one evening getting smoothies for the kids. Though she hadn’t acknowledged him or Hannah, she’d at least greeted her grandkids with a hug.

  He flipped up his collar and reached for his tie. Maybe with more time…

  But time was running out. He only had another week in town, so it looked as if he wouldn’t be making any big breakthroughs on this trip. Unwilling to call it quits, though, he left his assistant a message asking her to set up meetings with the potential buyers. Maybe if Donna knew he was committed to moving back to Corinthia, he could try to remove that wall between Donna and him one stone at a time.

  He tied his tie and adjusted it with a stupid grin on his face. Redd would be babysitting so he and Hannah could go out to dinner. Mark had planned a big surprise for the Valentine’s Day she’d wished for. He’d asked at the drugstore, and they’d dug up some cards in the storeroom. He’d ordered flowers and had them delivered to the restaurant. And he’d already enlisted the kids to help him hide some surprises around their house for a treasure hunt.

  A fun gift would be waiting at the end of the evening. Becca had assured him she was trustworthy enough to hide it and keep the secret.

  Everything was planned and in place. All he had to do was show up.

  He threw his suit coat over his arm. As he headed out the door, he called Hannah from his cell phone. “I’m on my way.”

  A late-model Ford sedan drove up and parked on the street out front. A woman climbed out.

  He sucked in a deep breath. “Hannah, your mom just drove up.” This could be the moment he’d been praying for.

  “Oh, Mark, go. Talk to her. I’ll meet you at the restaurant.” He could hear the smile in her voice.

  “No, I’ll call and ask them to move our reservation.”

  “I don’t want to throw off our whole evening. Just meet me there.”

  Donna strode up the sidewalk.

  “Okay. See you there.”

  He smiled as Donna stepped up onto the porch.

  But her face didn’t indicate the answer to prayer he’d been hoping for. With scowl firmly in place, the woman’s expression was as cold as he’d ever seen it. But he also registered something else in the hazel depths of her eyes. Fear.

  “Hi, Mrs. Williams.”

  “We need to talk. And not out here.”

  He showed her inside, and led her to the parlor decorated with an antique sofa flanked by two Queen Anne chairs. He’d jokingly called them Miss Ann’s thrones.

  He wasn’t laughing now.

  Ann was at the back of the house, working in the kitchen. He indicated for Donna to have a seat on the sofa.

  She ignored the invitation. “Sydney called today.”

  What on earth? “That’s nice. How is she doing?”

  “She’s coming home tomorrow.”

  His neck and face burned, as if someone had lit them on fire. “For a visit?”

  “She’s moving home. Permanently.”

  Coming here…to live? He staggered to a nearby chair and fell into it. Leaning his forearms on his knees, he hung his head as he tried to wrap his mind around what she was saying.

  “She’s finished rehab, and for the first time in a decade wants to move in with me. With family support, she really thinks she can make it this time.”

  “I see,” he said to the floor.

  “She says she looks forward to spending time with Hannah. And is excited to be well enough to have a relationship with her nieces and nephews.”

  Even though he wanted to scream his frustration at the timing, he felt a sense of release from the guilt. “Praise God,” he said to this woman who had surely come to deliver the news as a blow.

  “Well, you won’t be praising God for long when you hear what else I have to say.”

  He looked up at Donna and found it difficult to believe someone as sweet as Hannah had been raised by this overbearing woman.

  Donna’s countenance fell, and for the first time, she appeared vulnerable. “I know I’ve been hard on you. And I know what I’m asking is even harder. But please…please…do the honorable thing this time.”

  He knew what she wanted before she had to ask. He saw the desperation in her eyes.

  She touched his arm, but then snatched her hand away. “I know you love Hannah. I’ve watched you together. I’ve watched you with my grandchildren. They adore you. But they’re young and will be fine.

  “Sydney, on the other hand, is probably on her last hope. She’s willing to come home and ask for help for the first time ever. We have to give her that.”

  He nodded, because even he had to acknowledge she spoke the truth.

  “I need you to do the merciful thing and leave. I don’t think Sydney can heal if she has to watch you and her own sister happy in love.”

  He forced himself to look into her eyes. All he’d wanted was to redeem himself, to have his father and Hannah—and now Donna—consider him an honorable man. So how could he risk hurting Sydney’s recovery by staying?

  He couldn’t bear to destroy their family again. But how could he hurt Hannah by leaving?

 
If he stayed, he’d essentially be forcing Hannah to choose between him and Sydney. He couldn’t put her in that position. And though Hannah wouldn’t thank him for leaving, he knew with certainty that she would eventually understand.

  “I can’t make this decision without first discussing it with Hannah.” Mark stood and walked out of the room and straight to his car. He couldn’t even be polite enough to see her out. He had to do the hardest thing he’d ever done in his life.

  Tell Hannah he needed to leave for good.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Hannah was as giddy as a teenager on her first date. She slipped into a sleek, sleeveless linen dress in ruby red, a color everyone always said was her color.

  She smiled, knowing Anthony would be happy for her. During his battle with cancer, he’d told her over and over he wanted her to marry again. To find someone who would love her well. And love his children well.

  She’d found that man.

  After getting the little ones settled with Redd, she drove to Corinthia’s finest restaurant, where Mark had told her to meet him.

  The Iron Skillet, serving the best steak around, sat on the outskirts of town in a restored Victorian home. The steep prices kept her from eating there. But even if she could afford it, it wasn’t a place for children.

  She walked into the home with its luxurious carpet runner and grand staircase and was greeted by the maître d’. Mark had called to say he was on his way and had asked them to escort her to their table.

  Her heart fluttered. If Mark was on his way, then he must have finished the conversation with Donna. Had it gone well?

  Their table was actually in one of the private dining rooms upstairs. Proud of her calm facade, she stifled the urge to giggle like a fool over the royal treatment.

  On their table, two dozen velvety red roses welcomed her. A red envelope propped beside the vase looked as if it could be a Valentine.

  Surely not. Surely he hadn’t remembered her whining about missing the romance of the day.

  Tempted to open it, she touched the envelope, and nearly laughed when she fancied she heard it call her name. She flipped it over.

  He’d written in rough scrawl, “Go ahead. You know you want to open it.”

  She did laugh out loud that time as she ripped open the envelope.

  The card had a big pink heart on the front. A Valentine in June!

  Her heart melted as it hit her that he had remembered. And he’d cared enough to give her roses and this sweet card that declared her his Valentine.

  She couldn’t imagine a better Valentine’s Day. Until she heard him tell the maître d’ they’d like privacy, then footsteps on the staircase.

  Once again her heart fluttered. She sighed and smiled, waiting…

  As soon as he walked in, she knew the meeting with Donna had not gone well.

  She’s won. Mom has won.

  Hannah had no idea how she knew, but she did. Donna had changed his mind. “No,” she said as he stopped beside the table. “You won’t let her take this away from us.”

  He sat across from her and took hold of her hand. The look of devastation on his face nearly made her cry out.

  She wanted to weep. This night was supposed to be perfect. And now…

  “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

  “What happened?”

  “I had this planned so perfectly. Every detail arranged. But—”

  “You love me, or you wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.” She squeezed his hand, willing her strength to infuse him. “You have to ignore Mom’s ploys. She’s seen us together now. She’s probably desperate.”

  “Sydney’s coming home tomorrow. To live.”

  Hannah’s lungs squeezed shut. How could that be? “But she hasn’t lived in Corinthia since she was a teenager.”

  “Your mom said she’s asked for family support and thinks she’s going to be okay this time.”

  “She can’t come here now. This isn’t fair.” I should be happy for her. I know I should. What’s wrong with me?

  “Your mom has asked me to leave.” He ran his thumb over the top of Hannah’s hand, the gesture so intimate, so comforting. Yet his words slashed at her heart.

  Because she could tell he’d already made up his mind. “What did you tell her?”

  “That I couldn’t make that decision without talking to you.”

  He hadn’t refused. Hadn’t told Donna to mind her own business. He’d caved. He’d chosen Sydney and Sydney’s welfare over her.

  Once again, Sydney and her troubles trump everything.

  How could Hannah have been so stupid to have believed Mark could put her above everyone else?

  Mortified, her face tightened and burned. The mere thought of his betrayal made her want to throw her head on the table and wail. “You’ve already decided, haven’t you? You’re running again.”

  His brows drew together and he shook his head. “No. Not running. But I should go, to save you pain. I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your sister.”

  She slid her hand out from under his and bound up her aching heart in the steel she needed to get through the next breath. “I’m tired of people deciding what’s best for me.”

  Blood pulsed through her brain, throbbed in her temples. Sudden fury nearly blinded her, light flashing behind her eyes. Pushing back her chair, she stood and leaned forward, palms flat on the table. “My dad didn’t consult me when he said it was best for the family if he left us. My sister didn’t consult me when she decided to hang out with hoodlums and drink herself into oblivion.”

  She took a deep, shuddering breath. “My mom didn’t consult me before she poured everything—including the house and my prom dress—into my sister’s recovery. My husband didn’t consult me before he decided it was best to scrimp on the life-insurance policy.”

  She leaned closer, too upset to cry. She would not embarrass herself. “And now you and Mom know what’s best for me? For the Williams family?”

  He stood and reached to touch her shoulder. “Hannah…”

  She jerked away. Couldn’t let him touch her. Lord, help me. Help me walk out of here. “Go back to Seattle. We were fine on our own when you got here. We’ll be fine on our own after you leave.”

  He stared into her eyes, as if searching. “You’re hurting right now. Please, sit down and let’s talk about what’s best for everyone involved.”

  She laughed, an ugly, sarcastic sound. “You don’t get it. I’ll be making my own decisions from here on out about what’s best for me and my children. I’ve apparently made a mistake inviting you into our lives. But at least I found out now.”

  “I’m sorry.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, and tears filled his eyes.

  How could his tears affect her, even after what he’d done? She squeezed her hands into fists to keep from reaching out to him. “I deserve a man who’d choose me over all others. God wants the best for me—someone who’ll be by my side through the tough times. Now, I’d like for you to leave.”

  She couldn’t look at him or surely she’d lose it. She turned away, only to stare directly at the vase full of roses. Her Valentine. He’d been thoughtful. But the items were simply things. Things he’d bought for her.

  He hadn’t been capable of giving her what she really needed after all.

  She glanced over her shoulder and found him watching her. “Don’t come back or it’ll hurt the kids even more.”

  “Okay,” he rasped.

  Once his footsteps had faded down the stairs, she straightened herself and walked away. As she walked out, she nodded to the hostess, feeling overdressed and ridiculous for the hope she’d allowed herself not a half hour ago. She wou
ld not regret her decision to send him away. In some rational part of her brain, she knew she’d have to forgive him someday. It’s what she’d been preaching all along. But at the moment, she just wanted to go home, climb into bed and cry.

  The children were still awake when Hannah got home. They met her at the door with big grins.

  She took a deep breath, forced a smile and said, “What’s up?”

  “You’re early.” Worry drew Redd’s brows into an inverted V.

  “Where’s Mark?” Tony asked.

  The simple question nearly brought her to her knees. “I’m not feeling well, so I came home.”

  Redd’s eyes narrowed, and he probably saw too much. “Come on, kids, let’s let your mom go to bed and rest.” He gave her arm a squeeze. “I’ll put them to bed.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But you have to find your surprises first!” Eric said.

  “Yeah. We worked hard to hide them.” Emily tugged her hand. “Come on. Here’s the first.” She handed Hannah an envelope with Mark’s writing on it.

  Hannah’s hands didn’t want to move. She couldn’t make sense of this game.

  Emily grabbed the envelope and tore it open. She handed Hannah a homemade Valentine she felt sure Mark had had her children make. But in his handwriting, it said, “Your gift awaits. Follow the clues, starting with the twins’ favorite spot to read.”

  With dread, she trudged to the chair Emily and Eric had sat in when Mark read to them. All four little ones followed right on her heels. Sure enough, slipped into the side of the cushion was another envelope.

  As soon as she reached for it, the kids cheered, giggles filling the room.

  She opened this one. Another kid-made card declared the next clue would be found in Tony’s pet project. “Is it at the fence?” she asked. “Or would that be the rocking chairs?”

  “The chairs,” Tony said excitedly, as if he’d had his lips glued shut to try to keep from telling until now.

  Outside they all went, Redd included. An envelope sat in the far rocker. This one told her she’d find her next clue with Blue’s “food.”