A Summer Homecoming

by Leah Atwood

  A Summer Homecoming

  Leah Atwood

  Copyright © 2017 by Leah Atwood

  Cover Design © Covers by Ramona

  Cover Image © Adobestock.com

  Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the HCSB®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB® is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue

  Letter from the Author

  About Leah

  Other Available Titles

  Always Faithful Series

  “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

  Philippians 3:13-14

  Chapter One

  Melanie Richards melted away from the crowd and escaped through the back exit. She leaned against a post and took a breath she hadn’t realized she held. Her brain began to process what her heart had already acknowledged.

  After five years of wondering what would happen if this day ever came, she had her answer. She could never hate Zach Kellar. Far from it—one look at him, and she knew she had never stopped loving him. There was a time she would have done anything for him and gone anywhere with him. He was her best friend.

  But that was a lifetime ago—a lifetime that just walked back into her life.

  “Mel? Mel is that you?” The deep voice calling her name wavered, but unmistakably belonged to Zach.

  Melanie forced herself to look up. Big mistake. She hadn’t realized that Zach had crossed the span of the parking lot and was within an arm’s reach. For a moment, she couldn’t comprehend anything. She was too caught up in those eyes—those rich brown eyes that had always given her silent assurance and strength and expressed a genuine kindness and closeness. But unlike five years ago, they had creases at the corners showing signs of maturation and a glint of something she couldn’t recognize.

  “Hi, Zach. How have you been?” She grimaced.

  For five years, she had imagined what she would say if she ever saw him again, and those were not the words. She wanted to lash out, ask him why he had left her. How he could walk away from their love and friendship after all the years they had spent together? Why didn’t he even leave a note? Did he ever think of her?

  “I’m fine, and you?” He shoved a hand in his pocket and rocked on his heels.

  “Fine.” Her clipped tone said otherwise.

  Be nice. Years of pent up anger sluiced through her veins, but despite all her swirling emotions, this was Zach, her best friend since second grade, standing in front of her. She wanted answers, and rudeness wouldn’t get her any. Do I really want those answers now?

  No, not until she recovered from the shock of seeing him and could sort through the whirlwind of emotions running through her. For all she knew, he could be married, and she’d be set up for renewed heartache, or he might have answers she didn’t want to hear. Not to mention she hadn’t forgiven him yet, regardless of all her good intentions and prayers.

  Now wasn’t the time for answers. Not yet.

  Zach lifted his hand and rubbed his neck. He took a deep breath as if to buy some time—or courage—to say something. He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it, his own uncertainty demonstrated in his constantly shifting stance.

  What little patience she had for him faded as the emotions of the past few minutes overcame her. She raked her fingers through her hair. “Why are you here?”

  She winced at the bitterness she heard in her voice. Her emotions were all over the field, and she hadn’t been this conflicted since the first days after he’d left. One second she was reminiscing, remembering the love they had shared, and the next, the sting of rejection burned her heart again.

  Could she turn the clocks back an hour to where she was Melanie Richards, a second-grade teacher who was single, well-adjusted, and happy?

  When he didn’t answer, she turned to walk away.

  Zach gently laid his hand on her shoulder.

  That long neglected electric charge coursed through her. She paused, waiting to see what he would say.

  “I did you wrong.” His gravelly voice filled with conviction. “So very wrong.”

  Turning slowly, she broke his touch and guarded him with weariness. She wanted to stay and listen to him, but her heart wasn’t ready. She needed to prepare emotionally for anything he might have to say. Before she answered, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves and racing heart. “That was a long time ago, and I’ve moved on. Please, let’s just go on with our lives.”

  Lord, forgive me that lie.

  They stood for several moments without saying a word.

  Go home. Leave while my heart is still intact.

  Zach broke the silence. “I understand.”

  She had to strain to hear his whispered response, and her heart betrayed her. Zach’s forlorn expression caused an ache in her to reach out and give him a comforting caress but those days were over. He chose his course all those years ago.

  The sun quickly set on the day and this uncertain reunion. A cool breeze blew over the rolling hills around them, offering respite from the warm summer evening. It sent a slight shiver through Melanie so imperceptible that only someone very connected would notice. Without preamble, Zach slid out of his suit jacket and slipped it over her.

  She slumped her shoulders, and the jacket slid off. She handed it back to him. The wind didn’t cause the shiver.

  “Can I at least walk you home?” His eyes pleaded for an affirmative answer.

  Not trusting herself to speak, Melanie shook her head and turned to leave for the second time. Five minutes couldn’t erase five years of rejection.

  ***

  Melanie awoke the next morning with swollen eyes and the onset of a migraine. She blinked several times until she could focus her eyes on the clock, only to see she still had an hour before her alarm would go off. Snuggling under her covers, she clung to the faded teddy bear she had pulled down from the box hidden in her closet. A damp spot remained from where the tears had flowed uninhibited last night.

  Zach had won that teddy bear for her at the fireman’s carnival when they were only fourteen. He’d dragged her there although she hadn’t wanted to go. She’d been a young teenager, mad at the world after the death of her mom the year before. While many of her friends and family had avoided her, afraid to be on the receiving end of an irrational outburst, Zach stood by her side, understanding she was only trying to push everyone away so she wouldn’t be hurt when they also left.

  How ironic. The one person to never leave her side during that horrible time of her life was the one person who broke her heart in the end, and the one person who she thou
ght never would.

  Her Bible on the nightstand caught her gaze. She’d come a long way since that troubled teenager. When she was sixteen, a friend invited her to a church youth group. After several months of faithful attendance, she gave her life to the Lord. Her entire outlook changed that day.

  She wasn’t that girl angry at everyone anymore. Instead, she was a young woman with a purpose in life, a daughter who knew she would see her mom again in Heaven. If only her dad had not been so controlling and kept her mom from attending weekly worship, maybe Melanie would have known at an earlier age the God her mom loved and talked about.

  But I know him now. Thank You, Lord, for all the blessings you’ve placed in my life. Her simple prayer was the catalyst she needed to pull herself out of her current pity party.

  Sitting up, she swung her legs over the bed’s edge and stretched her arms, feeling the muscles loosen through her shoulders and back. She stood and walked to the window, pulled the blinds up to the top of the window. The sun worked on its ascent, illuminating the world in orange and red hues. Serenity settled over her.

  As she made her bed and showered she determined to put all thoughts of Zach out of her mind for now. In a few short hours, she would have a room full of second graders eager for her to instill them with her knowledge—or at least she liked to think they were excited to learn, though she realized the true cause was the beginning of summer break next week. This was the first year in her memory that school would let out in late June instead of mid-month. Thanks to a record year of winter storms, all snow days had been used and seven make-up days had been tacked on to the end of the year, which meant everyone—teachers included—was ready for the school year to end.

  She finished preparing for the day and then walked out the door, determined to make the most of the glorious summer day. At peace, she hummed a tune on her walk to the school. Zach was a small obstacle—she had survived him leaving five years ago, and she would survive his return.

  When she reached the school, she went straight to the break room to drop her lunch off in the community refrigerator. She plopped her messenger bag on a yellow plastic chair—eventually, the school board would recognize better chairs would boost staff morale—and removed her thermal lunch bag.

  Time to work.

  ***

  “That takes a lot of nerve, showing up like that after five years of silence!” Lily Hutchings puffed in self-righteous indignation as only a best friend could do.

  While on her lunch break, Melanie attempted to tell her co-worker and best friend the events of last night. As determined as Melanie was to erase thoughts of Zach for the day, he continued to infiltrate them, and she had to tell someone.

  Lily was the logical choice. She’d been the one to bring Melanie to church when she was a teenager and had been there when Melanie gave her life to the Lord. She had also been there to help pick up the pieces when Zach left and again when her father died three years ago. Other than Zach, she was the best friend Melanie had ever had and considered her the sister she never had through blood.

  Often, people even mistook them for sisters. Both had fair skin, very straight, dark blonde hair, vivid green eyes and were above average height. While Melanie was very thin, Lily had a few extra pounds but was comfortable with her appearance. Since they shared so much, including the same lunch period, it was only natural that Melanie chose her to confide in.

  Removing her bowl from the microwave, Lily frowned. “I was wondering why you never called or texted after leaving the party last night. I thought maybe you’d left early to finish grading finals.”

  “I had those finished before the party, but once I saw Zach, I had to escape.” The familiar tightening returned to her chest.

  “If I’d have known Zach was back and coming to the mayor’s birthday party, I never would have left you alone.” Lily grabbed the spoon from her lunch bag and claimed a seat at an empty table.

  “Don’t worry about it. Since he’s back in town, I was bound to have a run in soon. I just wish there had been time to prepare myself. I thought I was ready, but last night proved I am not.” Melanie sat across from Lily and removed her sandwich from the brown bag. “Besides, I wouldn’t dare dream of taking you away from making eyes at Pastor Dan.”

  Melanie teased more light-heartedly than she felt, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity for some ribbing. Pastor Dan and Lily would make the perfect couple if only they would both admit their feelings for each other.

  A blush trickled upward on Lily’s neck, a trait about which she’d often complained.

  “First, I am too old to be ‘making eyes.’ Second of all, no one calls it that anymore, and thirdly, he was telling me about a mission trip he went on two summers ago. It happened to be a very fascinating story.” Lily defended herself, but most of the town knew she was in love with Pastor Dan.

  The same way most of the town knew Pastor Dan was in love with her. For two devout Christians, they sure were stubborn when it came to love.

  “Anyway,” Lily said, “This isn’t about me and don’t go trying to change the subject now. What happened after you left the parking lot? Did he try to hold your hand? Did he kiss you goodnight?”

  “Of course not.” She looked down at the table, focusing on her sandwich as if that would disguise the edge to her tone.

  Had anyone else made that comment she would have said words she’d later regret. She loved Lily dearly, but the girl had a romantic streak a mile long. She couldn’t fault her for wanting everyone to have a happily ever after, but if she thought for one minute that Melanie would even let Zach hold her hand last night then maybe she should keep her thoughts quiet.

  Melanie stopped mid-mental tirade as she imagined what it would feel like to have Zach’s hand holding hers again and feel the strength and comfort that exuded from him. Every day, long before they dated, he would walk her home from school and hold her hand. Even when they were kids, he’d declared himself her protector. As they grew and matured into adults, it only seemed natural he would hold her hand wherever they went.

  Knowing there was a part deep inside of her that wished he had, but too embarrassed and vulnerable to admit it, she drank a sip of water and prayed Lily wouldn’t press.

  “How about we go to dinner tonight, my treat, and we can talk about it some more? I promise, no more teasing about kisses.” Lily offered a half smile.

  Melanie accepted the olive branch. “That actually sounds good, but you don’t have to treat. I wasn’t looking forward to being in the house by myself tonight, alone with my thoughts. Is six-thirty good?”

  “Sounds great.”

  The bell rang, and Melanie shoved her half-eaten sandwich back in the bag. At least she’d have a good dinner tonight.

  Chapter Two

  Zach rolled his sleeves as he walked out to his truck. Today’s humidity was atypical of Hope Springs and more like what he’d experienced when traveling in southern coastal regions. He inhaled, breathing in the air of his hometown.

  This was home and where he wanted to set his roots. He’d never leave long-term again.

  He got in his truck and pulled out of the hotel parking lot, made a right turn. Later that day he had an appointment with his realtor, but first, he wanted to stop by the church and visit an old friend. He’d hoped to catch up with him last night, but he’d spotted Melanie first, and that shaky reunion had thrown him off guard.

  First Community Church didn’t look any different than it had before but appeared less daunting. The brick walls invited rather than imposed, and Zach wished that he hadn’t scorned the church for so long. Things could have turned out so differently had he accepted God before leaving.

  Maybe then, he would have had the courage to face his fears instead of running from them. Before he could berate himself any further, one of his favorite verses came to mind. For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven. His faith and the results never failed to amaze him. Though he hadn’t been a Ch
ristian for long, the right verse always found its way to his heart. God had a plan for his life, and it would happen in His time.

  He walked up the steps and opened the white double doors. A quick survey of the lobby showed a door to the left displaying a sign engraved with Pastor’s Study. He wondered for a second if he should find the church secretary first or go to Dan. Before he made a decision, a short brunette with glasses walked out of the pastor’s office.

  “Hi, I’m Cheryl, the church secretary. Can I help you?”

  As she spoke, Zach thought he heard something familiar in her voice, but couldn’t place the recognition.

  “I’m an old friend of Dan Walton’s. I just stopped in to say hello for a minute.”

  “He is on his way back from visiting a church member at the hospital. I can give him a call on his cell and let him know you are here. He shouldn’t be more than a few minutes if you would like to wait?”

  Zach glanced at his watch to make sure he had time. His appointment with the realtor wasn’t until two that afternoon, which gave him an hour still.

  “Great. Tell him Zach Kellar is here.”

  The secretary blinked at the mention of his name. “Zach? I haven’t seen you in forever. Dan will be ecstatic to see you. I must have heard every story there is to tell about the escapades the two of you pulled off.”

  The reason for her familiarity hit him as he recognized Cheryl Potts, Hope Springs High School Prom Queen. He had only known her from a distance which explained why he hadn’t recognized her right away. That, and while she still held beauty, it was a subdued natural look now instead of layers of cosmetics she’d worn in high school.

  “Cheryl Potts? I thought you looked familiar, but I’ve been gone so long, high school seems a blur. How are you?”

  “I am great. It’s Cheryl Sanders now, though. John and I have been married for four years and have a two-year-old daughter and a son on the way.”

  “That’s great. Congratulations.” Zach shifted his weight, becoming uncomfortable. Would he and Melanie have kids now had he stayed? He tried to force the thought from his mind, lest it ruin his excitement at seeing an old friend.