Carolina Mercy (A Southern Breeze Series Book 2)

by Regina Rudd Merrick

  ©2018 by Regina Rudd Merrick

  Published by Mantle Rock Publishing LLC

  2879 Palma Road

  Benton, KY 42025

  http://mantlerockpublishing.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy and recording— without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotation in printed reviews.

  ISBN 978-1-945094-52-1

  Cover by Diane Turpin at dianeturpindesigns.com

  All characters are fictional, and any resemblance to real people, either factional or historical, is purely coincidental.

  All Scripture quoted is from the New King James Version of the Bible.

  To my sister, Andrea Gail Rudd Peak – Annie. You not only read my stories before anyone else and encouraged me to write more, but you also gave me my favorite wedding story ever. Thank you, and I love you, baby sister!

  He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

  Micah 6:8

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Regina Rudd Merrick

  Also From Mantle Rock Publishing

  Chapter One

  April

  Lucy Dixon wanted it to be a bad dream, but it wasn’t.

  Auto pilot. It was the only way she was getting through this. Daddy was dead. Two other workers lay in the hospital in critical condition because he’d pushed himself in front of them before the explosion. Grandmommy was burying her son, and she was burying her father.

  Another group of friends reached the casket, and she braced herself for their condolences. If she had to do this much longer, she feared she would run from the room screaming.

  And then he came.

  Tom. She hadn’t heard from him in eight months.

  “Now who in the world is that tall drink of water?”

  Lucy took a deep breath and tried to slow her heartbeat. “It’s Tom Livingston, Grandmommy. The man I told you about from South Carolina. I guess he came with Sarah and Jared.”

  “Is Sarah’s young man, Jared, the boy with the dark hair and eyes?”

  “He is.”

  “Well, no wonder she’s stayin’ in South Carolina.”

  “Grandmommy, behave.”

  She was vigilant as they gradually made their way through the line that went all the way to the front door of the funeral home. She knew where they were at all times. In a way, she didn’t want them to get to her. When they did, she would know it was all real. Tears pricked her eyelids all evening and overflowed when Sarah got to her and reached out for her.

  They sobbed together.

  Lucy’s hair was different. Shorter. But he could have seen her ten years from now and still known it was her, from the back. And it had only been eight months. But they hadn’t spoken since she left.

  When her head lifted and her eyes met his, she trembled. Was it the emotions of the day? Was she glad to see him? Or angry? He probably should have at least sent a Christmas card.

  They made it to the casket where Lucy stood on one side, and an elderly lady sat in a chair on the other side. There were only the two of them, no one sitting on the front “family” row to act as backup.

  Sarah got to her first. The two young women simply cried as they clung to one another, causing Tom to choke up himself.

  “Are you okay?” Sarah had backed off enough to take the tissue Lucy handed her.

  “I’m fine. I . . .” She sniffed loudly and swallowed the emotion that welled upon seeing her best friend.

  “I know. I can’t believe it either.”

  Lucy shook herself and pulled away from Sarah. “Jared, thanks for coming. Tom.” Her tears began to flow again as she reached for his hand.

  When he took it and squeezed, he pulled her to himself and enveloped her in a hug and whispered, “You couldn’t have kept me away.”

  She simply nodded and pulled back, her cheeks flushed. “Grandmommy, you know Sarah, and this is Jared Benton and Tom Livingston from South Carolina.”

  Sarah hugged Elizabeth Dixon. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I know, Sarah. When you get to be my age, you sure don’t expect to bury your children. At least you hope you won’t.”

  “Thanks for coming over.” Lucy tucked her feet under her legs on the overstuffed sofa and nodded when Sarah handed her a box of tissues. “I don’t think I could face the thought of only Grandmommy and me in this big barn of a house.”

  She looked around at the opulent family room. Her father had given her carte blanche to redecorate it when she moved home from college. His one request was that she stay there with him for a little while after graduation. Not forever. He had missed her while she was away.

  “Where did you dump Jared and Tom?” Lucy gave her best friend a grin along with a hefty sniffle and relaxed a bit when Sarah chuckled.

  “They’re at Mom and Dad’s house. Mom always secretly wanted boys, you know.” Sarah’s eyes sparkled almost as much as the brilliant diamond on her hand.

  “Let me see that thing again.” She sighed as she grabbed Sarah’s left hand and turned it different ways in the light, watching as the flashes of color created a rainbow in the room. “It’s so beautiful. Beautiful like you.”

  “Oh, Luce. This is going to be too much, isn’t it?”

  “Absolutely not. I’m going with Grandmommy to Atlanta to bury Dad next to Mom, and then I’m heading to you. The show must go on, you know.” She put all the stoicism she could find into her voice. She had to.

  “I don’t want to put more pressure on you. I mean, it’s only a wedding.”

  “Only a wedding?” Lucy snorted. “Young lady, this is only the wedding of my best friend, who is marrying the man of her dreams.” She stressed the word “only” to make her point. “Get real, here. I’m the maid of honor, don’t you know?”

  Sarah giggled at her last phrase. “You’re channeling Mrs. Watson, ‘don’t you know?’ Where did she get that, anyway?”

  Lucy laughed. Her first real laugh since she got news of her father. It was cathartic. “From what I hear, Mrs. Watson, a native Kentuckian, picked it up when she married a Canadian. I guess the phrase stuck.” The strict, high school business teacher knew everything there was to know about typing the perfect document, and she was exceedingly strict when it came to the English language.
It was one of Lucy’s favorite things about the lady.

  They stared into the gas fireplace for a few minutes, resting and thinking. “I’m all alone, Sarah. No Dad, Grandmommy living in Atlanta, no other family around, you getting married and living in another state.”

  “I know. Have you thought about what you’re going to do? You’ll have this house.”

  Lucy looked around, her eyes lingering on this and that family picture or piece of art. “It’s home, but it’s not, you know?” A tear ran down her cheek and dropped onto her hand. “And tomorrow, after the funeral, it’ll be full of people.”

  Tom and Jared sat on the front porch, out of the way of family and friends who had come to pay their last respects to Mr. Atwood Dixon.

  “Some house, huh?” Tom had to say something. The silence was killing him.

  “He speaks.” Jared chuckled. “Yeah, it’s nice. Surprised?”

  “A little. What am I doing here?”

  Jared leaned forward. “You’re here because Lucy’s father died, and she’s someone you care about. Don’t you?”

  Jared’s level stare unnerved Tom. “I think Lucy would probably rather I hadn’t come.” Tom looked down at his hands, clasped between his knees.

  “Why?”

  “Maybe because I haven’t talked to her since she left South Carolina last July?”

  “Wondered when you would tell me. Sarah was wondering about that too.”

  “I mean, look at this place. You’ve seen where I grew up.”

  Jared looked at Tom, one eyebrow cocked. “Yeah. Pretty bad. An antebellum house full of family history, your grandparents next door, cousins and aunts and uncles in and out all the time, and parents who were more focused on raising good kids than on making money. Rough life.”

  “Well, they’re not having much fun now.”

  “I know. But you’ve made sure your mom doesn’t want for anything, and you’re there for her. And someday, when Ms. Right comes along, she’ll be right there at your side, loving your family as much as you do.”

  “Don’t you think that’s asking a lot? It’s like asking them to marry not only you but your family.”

  “Hey, I’m marrying Sarah’s family. I think I fell in love with them at almost the same time as Sarah.”

  Sarah chose that moment to step out the screen door. “I’m sure my brother-in-law will be delighted to hear it.” She leaned down to meet Jared’s lips in a quick kiss. “I missed you guys.”

  “How’s Lucy?” Tom didn’t want to revisit the previous line of discussion if he didn’t have to.

  “Wondering when you’re going to address the issue of not calling her since she’s been home. Eight months, I believe?” Sarah straightened and put her hands on her hips as she gave him a pointed look.

  Jared arched a brow toward his friend. “Straight for the jugular. You can get away with a lot, but not if you’re messing with a girl’s best friend. Fair warning.” He reached for Sarah’s hand and kissed it. “I think I’m going to see if there’s any more of your mom’s potato salad.”

  “Do you have to?” Tom blanched a little at the idea of being left alone with Sarah.

  “You’re a big boy. She doesn’t bite too hard.” Jared’s wink through the screen didn’t make Tom feel any better. The slap of the wooden door was like a nail on his coffin. Which was a very bad analogy, considering the circumstances.

  “Sarah—”

  “Tom, I don’t want to butt in, but—”

  He held his hands up. “Let me start over. Sarah, I didn’t want to lead her on.”

  “What do you mean? She liked you, Tom. She really did. Probably still does.”

  “I liked her too. Still do. But you know about my family. They need me. Mom—”

  “Your mother, who I love dearly, would be furious at you for even thinking that her needs would keep you from finding the one God has for you. Isn’t that a little short-sighted?”

  “Sarah, look at this place. I can’t compete with this.”

  “Who’s asking you to?”

  His thumb pointed to the doorway. “All those people in there.”

  The grand hallway was empty of guests. Grandmommy hugged Lucy once more before heading upstairs. “I knew your daddy was a good man, but it does my heart good to know how much people thought of him.”

  “It helps, doesn’t it? I didn’t know a lot of the people from work, but nearly the whole church was here. Brother Mike did a good job with the funeral, didn’t he?”

  “For a young un’, he did a fine job. I could tell he loved Atwood.” She kissed her granddaughter. “Don’t stay up too late, you hear? Your friends are here to comfort you, not wear you out.”

  “Don’t worry. We can sleep in tomorrow. You get some rest. Love you, Grandmommy.” A tear rolled down her cheek about the time she smiled.

  “Love you, too, baby. You think about what I said earlier.”

  “I will. Sleep well.” Lucy watched as her grandmother ascended the stairs.

  Lucy rubbed her arms. It wasn’t chilly, but the friction felt good. Her eyes on the floor, she startled when she looked up to see Tom standing in the doorway.

  “Are you okay?” His eyes bored into hers and she couldn’t look away. The look in his eyes . . . it was almost like pain. Why would he feel hurt? He was the one who had broken off contact. She was the one mourning the loss of her father.

  She twitched her eyebrows, irritated at the question. “I guess I’m as well as can be expected. What about you?”

  “I’m sorry, Lucy. I really am.”

  “For what?” Her chin went up a bit in defiance, every bit of her five-foot-two frame on alert. She would not let her small stature take away from being in charge of the situation. Not this time. “Are you sorry that my father is dead and you never had a chance to meet him, or that you let me think you . . . liked me and then didn’t call or even email me in eight months?”

  He looked down at his feet, put his hands in his pockets, and took a deep breath before looking her in the eye. “Yes.”

  Her chin quivered. Why now? Those stupid overactive tear ducts. You’d think they’d be depleted by now. She could feel her face getting hotter and took a deep breath. She didn’t want to meet his eyes, but he didn’t look away again. “Where are Jared and Sarah?”

  “They’re in the kitchen fixing snacks. She said you had hardly eaten today.”

  “Who had time?” She stared at him, unsure what the glint in his eye meant.

  “Well, you do, now. Time to let us take care of you.” He caught the tear before it made it halfway down her cheek.

  Lucy jumped when the doorbell rang. 9:15. Who would be stopping by at this hour? Everyone knew this was a house of mourning. Sarah flew past, aiming for the door.

  “I don’t want the doorbell to wake up your grandmother.”

  She couldn’t have missed Tom’s tender ministrations. Feeling her face flare up once again, she stepped back, her eyes on Tom’s.

  “Thank you. I need to see who it is. Maybe—”

  “I know. I’ll be here.”

  A male voice came through the doorway, and Lucy’s eyes widened then closed in defeat. It was Ben. Why now, Lord?

  “Lucy!” He strode toward Lucy, ignoring Tom and Sarah. Jared came into the hallway in time to see him grab Lucy in a bear hug. “We got back tonight, and I just heard. You should have called me.”

  “You were in the middle of Land Between the Lakes. You know there’s no service there.” Lucy frowned as she stepped back. “Um, Ben Maxwell, you know Sarah. This is her fiancé, Jared Benton, and a family friend, Tom Livingston. They’re from South Carolina.”

  Ben shook hands with the two men. “So this is the guy who convinced Sarah to leave the good old hometown?” He put his arm around Lucy’s shoulder and pulled her to him in a good-natured hug as he kissed her forehead. “I’m hoping to convince Miss Dixon here to stay in hers.”

  Lucy caught a glimpse of Tom’s face. He was pale. Honestly. Like h
e expected her to pine away for him for eight months. Eight months! Ben was a nice guy. A really nice guy. He was a member of her church, sang in the choir, helped little old ladies across the street, and had been promoted to head football coach. She missed a little of the conversation, stewing, as it were, on the motivation behind Tom’s coming to her father’s funeral.

  “Congratulations, Ben. I know it’s always been your dream to be a head coach.” Sarah kept glancing at Lucy.

  “Yeah. That’s why I’m only now finding out about Mr. Dixon’s accident. I was with the team at survival camp. Kind of a bonding thing, you know.”

  Bonding. She thought that was what had happened between Tom and her on the boardwalk of Myrtle Beach. It was one kiss, little more than a peck on the cheek. One kiss can tell a girl a lot about a person.

  Especially if it’s the kiss to which you compare every kiss you’ve ever had and the others all come up short.

  Chapter Two

  May

  “You’re sure you won’t stay here with me?” Elizabeth Dixon’s eyes looked sad but not surprised. “You know you’re welcome.”

  The tears wanted to stay on the surface. Aggravating things. Surely, soon they would be dried up? “I know, Grandmommy. I think it’s time to be out on my own. I’m almost twenty-nine years old, you know. Practically an old maid.” She liked to kid her grandmother to see her bristle.