Someone to Trust

by Lesa Henderson

  Finally, she did find her voice. “Will you still be coming to church tomorrow or will your mom and Felicia be staying over?”

  “I’ll be there. They’re leaving in the morning so I was hoping we’d still make our usual trip over to Aunt Vera’s?”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Megan assured him. She could hear female voices in the background and surmised the ladies were trying to get Lee’s attention.

  Lee confirmed it when he said, “I’ve got to go for now. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “See you in the morning,” Megan answered and hung up the receiver. It was good of him to call her and even better to hear his voice. He’d taken time out of his day with his family to talk to her. She should feel relieved, so why did she feel so despondent?

  The next morning, Megan was thrilled to see Lee. She couldn’t keep from smiling or allowing her eyes to travel the entire length of him. He was so handsome and he smelled so good. She couldn’t help but notice these things as they sat shoulder to shoulder. She just prayed she would be able to keep her mind on the sermon.

  During the service, Lee reached down and covered her hand with his. At that point, Megan had to concede defeat in listening to the sermon but she could definitely spend some time in prayer. She gave thanks to God for the day and basked at being in Lee’s presence, as well as spending the morning in the Lord’s house.

  Later, on the way across the mountain, they continued to hold hands across the truck’s bench seat. After a few miles of silence, Megan finally got the nerve to venture, “Would you mind telling me about you and Felicia?” She knew she really didn’t have the right to ask, especially given the fact she had no desire to talk about Trevor. Maybe that wasn’t entirely true. It wasn’t desire she lacked; it was courage.

  Lee took his eyes off the road for an instant to glance over at her. “Not at all. What do you want to know?”

  Everything.

  Megan felt mildly comforted by the lack of reservation in his response. “When did you meet? You mentioned you thought you wanted to marry her at one time. Were you engaged?”

  “Felicia and I have known one another since we were born. I think I told you her father is a partner in my father’s law firm.”

  Megan nodded, encouraging him to continue.

  “So, we grew up playing together, going to the same private school and attending the same college. In fact, we started dating at the end of our senior year in high school and our relationship continued into college. I think everyone, including the two of us, assumed we’d end up engaged and married.”

  “You got engaged in college?” Megan guessed but Lee shook his head. “You weren’t engaged?”

  “No, once we finished college, I went on to vet school while she went to work with her dad in the firm. We’d already begun to grow apart, and then when I gave my life to Christ, the gap between us grew wider. We no longer wanted the same things, participated in the same things. We were on totally different paths.”

  “So you broke up with her?” Megan surmised, again Lee shook his head.

  “No, she broke up with me, but it was something I should have done. I knew in my heart, that although I cared about her and our parents wanted us together…we weren’t right together.”

  “Did the breakup hurt?”

  “Yes and no,” Lee answered truthfully. “In a way, it was a relief. It just wasn’t something that was good for me. God had different plans.” He glanced over at Megan; his gaze caused her heart to skip a beat.

  “Have you ever wanted something that just wasn’t good for you?” he asked.

  “Yes…yes, I have,” she answered firmly.

  Megan swallowed the lump in her throat. Now was the perfect opportunity. She should tell him.

  As they pulled up in front of Chatley’s Bed and Breakfast Inn, Megan asked, “Do you think Felicia would like to rekindle your relationship?”

  Lee put the truck in park and turned toward her. “Sometimes I think so, though she has never come out and said as much.”

  “Your mother was very disappointed over your breakup, wasn’t she?”

  Lee nodded. “She wasn’t at all happy. She and Felicia’s mother are best friends. They had everything planned for us, but it’s not the plan God has for me. Hopefully, over time, my mother will come to understand that and accept it.”

  Megan nodded and Lee asked, “Any more questions running through that beautiful head of yours?”

  “No.” Megan smiled, continuing with, “Thanks for indulging me.”

  “Not a problem. I have nothing to hide. Now let’s go get some lunch.” He leaned forward and kissed her, before opening the door and hopping out. He came around and opened her door, reaching up his hand to help her out. As Megan placed her hand in his, she wished with all of her heart that she, too, had nothing to hide.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Wow! You look amazing!” Lee whistled when Megan answered the front door of her cabin. By the look on his face, she knew he meant it.

  “Thank you,” she sighed. She was pleased with his compliment because she’d really gone out of her way to look extra nice. It had taken her a week to find the perfect dress. Finally, she’d settled on a simple black sleeveless which crisscrossed her chest before gathering at the waist and falling softly over her slender hips to swirl gently around her knees. She paired the dress with strappy black kitten heels and accessorized with a short strand of pearls and matching earrings.

  Sitting in his truck beside her, Lee could hardly take his eyes off her to focus on driving. Her hair was swept up and clasped in lose tendrils on top of her head with a few escaping to caress her neck and fall down the sides of her oval face. Her lips were lightly glossed and her eyes glistened from the touch of mocha shadow applied to her lids. Megan wasn’t a vain person and knew her looks were average. However, sitting with Lee, created a whole new awareness. Tonight, for the first time, she really felt pretty.

  “Thanks for agreeing to come with me.” He reached over and covered her hand with his as had become his custom.

  “As if I’d miss your aunt’s birthday party—not likely. I’m so honored to be included.”

  “She’d be upset if you, Cindy and Alan weren’t there. She’s become very fond of you.”

  “And we love her,” she declared, hesitating a moment before adding, “I must admit I am a little nervous about meeting your father.”

  “Don’t be. Just be yourself; what’s not to love?”

  “I just hope I don’t break something…or trip…or…”

  “Stop worrying. It’ll be fine.” He laughed.

  “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the Queen of Klutz,” she reminded him as she fiddled nervously with her hair. He laughed and squeezed her hand.

  “I wouldn’t change a thing about you,” he said, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to shoot her an affectionate glance.

  Her heart ached at his words. That’s because you don’t really know me. She couldn’t tell him the truth about herself and she couldn’t break it off with him either. Did that add selfish to the already long list of faults she had?

  Aunt Vera’s sixtieth birthday was being held at a reception hall in Chatley. She was well loved by friends and family, and based on the numbers of RSVPs, the Inn simply would not accommodate everyone.

  When Lee and Megan got to the hall, a good number of people had already arrived and the party was in full swing. Aunt Vera greeted them immediately with hugs. Megan handed her the gift she brought.

  “Oh, honey, you didn’t have to get me a thing. Your presence is gift enough,” Aunt Vera said, giving her an unpretentious smile and yet another hug. She was such a gracious lady, and in the short time she’d known her, Aunt Vera had gained Megan’s respect and admiration.

  “Lee, go introduce her to everyone,” Aunt Vera instructed.

  Doing as his aunt bid, Lee slipped an arm around her waist and guided her across the room, stopping every several feet to introduce
her to a family member or a friend. There was no way Megan could remember all their names. They spent several minutes chatting with Alan and Cindy before finally making their way over to a very distinguished looking gentleman standing next to the woman Megan knew to be Lee’s mother.

  Instantly, Megan knew the gentleman was Lee’s father. He was an older version of Lee, tall with silver hair and the same unusual gray eyes.

  Lee greeted his mother first with a hug and a kiss on the check and then turned to his father for a handshake before being pulled in by the older version of himself for a gruff hug. Mrs. Grainger inquisitively turned cool blue eyes on Megan.

  “Dad, I’d like for you to meet Megan McCormick. Megan, you’ve already met my mother and this is my dad, Lee Grainger, Sr.”

  Megan extended her hand, grasping each of their hands in turn for a handshake. Hillary Grainger barely allowed her hand to stay in Megan’s more than a second. Megan almost expected to see her wipe her hand down the side of her silk navy dress after releasing Megan’s grasp.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Grainger, and good to see you again, Mrs. Grainger,” Megan greeted, with a nervous smile.

  “You as well, Megan,” Mr. Grainger said, with a smile that reminded her very much of Lee. Mrs. Grainger simply nodded her head and then turned to her son, dismissing Megan entirely.

  “Lee, Felicia is due to arrive any time now,” Mrs. Grainger informed her son. Megan’s stomach tightened in a knot which Lee must have realized because he cast an apologetic glance over at her. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

  She stood quietly for a few moments listening to their conversation about family members and the like before saying, “Lee while you’re visiting with your parents…I’m going to get some punch. Can I get you anything?” It was the first thing she could think of to make an escape.

  “No thanks. I’ll come find you in a minute.” Lee smiled in understanding.

  “Take your time. I’ll be fine,” Megan assured him before turning back to his parents and giving them the warmest smile she could muster.

  “It was a pleasure,” she offered, feeling foolish for not being able to think of anything else to say.

  They both nodded. Mr. Grainger gave her a smile but Mrs. Grainger continued to stare coolly. Megan made her retreat, hoping she didn’t seem too rude, as she weaved in and out of the guests making her way to the punch bowl.

  His father was likable enough, but his mother was a downright snob!

  She immediately felt guilty for having such a thought. She had hoped his mother’s original treatment was due perhaps to being shy and feeling awkward meeting new people, but as much as Megan tried, she was unable to excuse the woman’s less than friendly behavior and obvious displeasure at Lee’s interest in her.

  It wasn’t long before Lee found her and they continued to make their way around the party, visiting first one person and then the next. They spent the majority of their time in the company of Alan and Cindy.

  Lee and Megan found their place cards for dinner and discovered they would be sitting with Lee’s parents. Fortunately, Alan and Cindy were seated at their table as well, which helped Megan get through the meal. Throughout the dinner, Mrs. Grainger kept watching the door. Megan assumed she was watching for Felicia. That knowledge made it difficult for Megan to relax or to enjoy the food, which she otherwise would have found delicious.

  Midway through dinner, a jazz band began playing and the ambiance of the music helped ease some of her tension. Soon, the center of the reception hall, which was serving as a dance floor, was filled with young and old alike.

  Lee put down his napkin and looked over at her. Slowly, he stood and stretched out his hand, asking, “Would you do me the honor, Miss McCormick, of this dance?”

  Megan hesitated only a second. When he looked at her the way he was at this moment, she could deny him nothing and placed her hand in his. He helped her to her feet and led her onto the dance floor. Alan and Cindy soon followed their lead.

  Lee gently pulled Megan to him and held one of her hands up to his shoulder, enveloped in his larger hand. He placed his other hand at the small of her back and began gliding her slowly around the room. As she moved across the floor with him, the soulful echoes of the saxophone helped her lose herself in the depths of those incredible gray eyes. It seemed as if all of time stood still, all distractions disappeared, and for a moment, it was just the two of them swaying to the music. Megan felt completely safe and content to just be next to this man who had won her heart.

  The music stopped and the band leader invited everyone to take their seats as they prepared the birthday cake. “Don’t go far, folks, we will be singing to this wonderful lady soon.”

  Everyone began to make their way back to their tables. Lee and Megan had just taken their seats when Mrs. Grainger stated, with what seemed to Megan a bit of glee, “Oh look, Felicia has arrived.”

  Everyone at the table turned toward the door as the dark-haired beauty made her way in.

  “Mmm…it would seem she’s brought a date with her,” Mrs. Grainger added with interest. Megan, who had settled in her seat, turned once again in curiosity toward the door. Lee remained facing away from the door. Evidently, he wasn’t interested in any man who would come with Felicia.

  Megan spotted Felicia and then the man with her. He was blonde, tan, rather good looking and… It couldn’t be; it just could not be. It wasn’t possible! It was Trevor Raines. Megan gasped, audibly drawing Lee’s attention to her.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked in concern. She felt as if she might be ill.

  She actually felt as if she might faint. This could not be happening. Not now. In all the places, at all the times, why now?

  “Megan?” Lee leaned over and whispered, “Are you all right?”

  “Y…yes, I’m fine,” she lied in a stammering voice. Lee didn’t look as if he believed it. She may as well tell him.

  “No, not really,” she amended. “I’m not feeling very well.” That was the truth or at least a portion of it, but perhaps that could be her way out of the place. While she was debating it, all attention turned to Aunt Vera standing by her birthday cake. Those wanting to say something about the wonderful woman celebrating her birthday were encouraged to do so. Megan didn’t hear a word of it. Even when Lee stood and commemorated his aunt, she was too distracted to grasp much of what he said. She simply clapped when everyone else did, then numbly stood and sang the birthday song with the chorus of voices.

  The band struck up their instruments again, and to a round of applause, her adoring husband whisked Aunt Vera onto the dance floor. Megan was about to excuse herself to go to the ladies room when Felicia approached the table.

  Trevor was immediately behind her and Megan could feel her face flush as panic rose in her. She was trapped with nowhere to run.

  Felicia greeted Lee’s parents with a warm smile as she rested a slender hand on Lee’s shoulder. Leaning down close to his ear, she breathed huskily, “Good to see you, Lee.”

  He nodded and smiled politely. “Felicia.”

  She turned to Megan with a canary-eating smile. “Hello again, Megan.”

  Megan could say nothing. She was afraid of what sound would come out if she dared open her mouth but she did manage a nod.

  “I’d like for all of you to meet a dear friend of mine, Trevor Raines.” Trevor managed to shake everyone’s hand, saving Megan for last. As he turned to Megan, Felicia said, “Oh that’s right, I believe the two of you are already acquainted.”

  The table’s attention turned to Megan as Trevor took her hand. “Megan. How good it is to see you again. You look as lovely as ever.” He held her hand longer than was necessary or appropriate; Megan finally extracted it.

  “Well, we’re going to get some cake and punch but will catch up with you later,” Felicia announced, sauntering off with Trevor in tow.

  Megan turned to Lee whose brows were drawn together in confusion. “Bathroom…” she got o
ut hoarsely. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “Are you okay? Do you need Cindy to go with you?”

  “No, I’ve got it.” She didn’t wait for a response.

  She had to get away before she completely lost it. She was thankful no one else was in the room when she got there. She stood over the sink, trying to take deep calming breaths. After taking a look at herself in the mirror, she opted for wetting a paper napkin and pressing it to her face. Three women entered the ladies room, giving Megan a strange look before continuing their own conversation. Maybe she was being overly sensitive, but she decided she couldn’t stay in there. She made her way out of the room and down the hall toward the party. Her steps came slower and slower the closer she got to the ballroom, and just before she was to enter, she noticed a set of double doors leading out onto a balcony.