Seasons of the Heart

by Susette Williams

  Chapter Six

  “I’m so glad you and your young fellow have offered to help out around the place.” Fred carried his plate over from the counter and sat down at his kitchen table with Nick and Maggie. “The old ranch hasn’t fared as well over the years without extra hands to manage with the upkeep.”

  Maggie had been a bit surprised when Nick suggested they lend her grandfather a hand, but since he’d been willing to participate, she’d agreed. He was right, it was a chance for her to get to learn more about her family while still helping Fred get his place in order. “Why didn’t my father stay and help you out?”

  “Once he and your ma got hitched, he was out the door.” Fred stared at the sandwich in his hands. Between the sun, worrying, and time, her grandfather had aged considerably from the pictures she’d seen of him on the mantle. “Freddie couldn’t wait to leave this place. He always wanted to go out to the West Coast and see the ocean. ‘Live a little’, he would say.”

  “We did end up in California.” Not that it really mattered to her much as a child. The only thing they could afford to do, when her parents had a day off together, was going to the beach. It had been so long ago, she couldn’t remember the last time they’d gone together as a family.

  Her stepfather was older, so he hadn’t been interested in going to the ocean unless her mother wanted to go. Then he would spend all his time doting on her mother. Maggie generally felt like she was in the way. It seemed only natural for her to go away to boarding school.

  “I don’t reckon you know if your father stayed out in California?” Fred’s voice sounded hopeful.

  “Unfortunately, I’m afraid I don’t have any good news to give you.” Maggie took a sip of her water. The glass clanked when she set it back down. “I don’t think my mother even saw him when he signed the divorce papers. My stepfather had his lawyer handle everything, and since he never paid any child support, there were no visitation rights—not that he ever tried to see me again.”

  “I’m sorry my son did those things.” Fred pulled out a red bandana from his back pocket, then wiped his eyes. “He was raised better and should have taken care of his family.” Fred sniffed. “If I’d known, I’d have taken you and your ma in.”

  “That’s very kind of you.” His kindness touched her heart, and deepened her feelings toward the man she’d only known for around a week.

  “The offer still stands,” Fred said. “If you need a place, even while you’re going to college, I’ve got a spare bedroom.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your offer.” And she did. Not that she wanted to stay in an old farmhouse. It was nice to know he cared enough for her to want to look out for her. “I’ve only seen the pictures of your wife on the wall in the hall and above your fireplace. What was she like?”

  “We were childhood sweethearts.” Her grandfather had a faraway look in his eyes. “I still remember the way she would turn around in class and look over her shoulder at me and smile.”

  A smile crept upon his face at the memories.

  “You were smitten.” Nick grinned and looked at Maggie. “I know the feeling.”

  Her cheeks warmed. She knew the feeling as well.

  “You have her smile.” Fred was staring at her. His eyes filled with warmth. “You both are good for each other, not like Ashley.”

  Maggie blinked. “Ashley?”

  She looked from Fred to Nick, whose mouth was hanging open. He had the deer-in-the-headlights kind of stare the locals referred to when someone didn’t know what to say or do.

  The silence was killing her. “Is Ashley an old girlfriend?”

  “I’m sorry.” Fred picked up his plate and stood. “I should have kept my big trap shut.”

  Fred put his plate in the sink and left the room.

  Nick closed his mouth and frowned. He crossed his arms in front of him on the table. “She’s my ex-wife.”

  “Your … ex-wife?” The air left her lungs in one swoosh.

  He nodded, confirming the shocking revelation.

  “And you didn’t think that was important enough to tell me?” Maggie stammered. She rose from the table and staggered backward. “All that talk about how you would never leave me, and yet you left her?”

  “It’s not like that.” Nick’s tone was flat.

  How could she believe anything he said? Omission was as bad as lying. While you might not tell the person you are dating the name of all your ex-boyfriends, omitting the fact that you were married before was different. That person held a place in your heart, and your bed, and for whatever reason they weren’t together anymore. Like her parents.

  “And I guess it was your fault?” Maggie fumed. “Oh, right, I forget, it’s never anyone’s fault. Or, at least not the person telling the story.”

  “Why don’t we go somewhere more private and talk about this?”

  Maggie’s laughter sounded psychotic in her own ears. He had to be kidding. “I’ve no intention of going anywhere with you. I’ll have one of my friends come get me.”

  Chapter Seven

  “I don’t know why you both want me to go to self-defense class.” Maggie pointedly at Kelly and Sasha. While Maggie had dressed in her workout clothes and was still going, it didn’t mean she had to like it.

  “Because, no matter what, you’re going to have to face Nick eventually.” Sasha sighed. “You might as well get it over with now, and besides, there’s no reason you should let him keep you from doing something.”

  “I know you’re upset that he didn’t tell you he was married before, but honestly, who wants to talk about their failures in life?” Kelly said.

  “Ah, so the marriage failing was his fault?” Not something people tended to admit. Although, she was willing to accept the blame for her father leaving, even if it wasn’t really her fault. Nick had been right about that.

  “It wasn’t his fault.” Kelly glared at her.

  Maybe she should have had Sasha sit up front. Although, the accusing look could be seen in a rearview mirror as well. At least Sasha showed some sympathy toward her pain.

  “His ex was a gold digger.” Kelly’s tone was curt. “Apparently, she didn’t want to wait around for him to collect his trust fund.”

  Maggie’s gaze shot toward Kelly. She started to swerve on the road, but quickly recovered. “Trust fund?”

  “Uh, yeah. His parents had set up a trust fund for him. Then, when they died, he got life insurance and inherited their wealth. Most of which was tied up until he turned twenty-five.” Kelly shrugged sheepishly. “According to Marc, Ashley really did a number on Nick, which is why he’s been hesitant to get into another relationship.”

  “Let me guess …” Maggie felt her anger rising. “That included me, since he obviously thought I was after his money as well.”

  Kelly didn’t have to say a word, which was fine because they’d reached the college.

  “I think a workout is just what I need right now.” Maggie smiled, but it wasn’t because she was happy—at least yet. She had every intention of taking Nick down a notch or two. As her mother used to say, ‘revenge was a dish best served cold.’ Nick better like leftovers, because all she had left for him was anger. He’d failed to tell her about being married before and he’d let her believe that he was between jobs. Sold his business. Ha. Did he even have one, or was that a lie?

  When the three of them walked into the gym, Nick turned to look. His gaze met hers briefly before he turned back and continued talking with one of the other students.

  Did he know how much he’d hurt her? How much he’d destroyed her trust? Sure, he’d tried to call her several times, but she didn’t want to talk to him. He’d had plenty of time to tell her about Ashley, and he’d never mentioned her once. Is that all she was destined to be—another one of his mistakes?

  They put their purses on the bleacher and began stretching. Nick had told them each week to start by practicing things they learned in the previous class.

  “It looks like T
racy isn’t here.” Which meant one of the students would end up being paired with the instructor—Nick. “Wanna partner with me, Kelly? Or the three of us could take turns working together.”

  “I already told Sasha earlier today that I’d be her partner.”

  “Don’t put me in the middle of this.” Sasha grimaced. “You know you only asked me earlier because you wanted to make sure she’d have to work with lover-boy.”

  “At least I know whose side you’re on.” Maggie smirked at Kelly. “But you’re not the one who was wronged, or you’d be just as upset as I am.”

  “Maybe you should consider that sermon on forgiveness.” Kelly wriggled her eyebrows at her.

  The preacher had just preached on it the day before. She hadn’t forgotten, although she really wanted to ignore it. Besides, forgiveness didn’t mean she had to forget, or trust him again. Their pastor’s words still haunted her. He said forgiveness was for the one offended, as much as the one who’d done the offense, not to let it destroy you.

  Sometimes anger gave you the ability to protect yourself from being hurt again. She couldn’t handle the pain of baring her heart again. If she forgave him, it wouldn’t be today, or tomorrow. Right now, she couldn’t even pray and ask God to help her forgive him—that’s how angry she was at Nick.

  “Do you need a partner?”

  Maggie jumped at the sound of Nick’s voice. He was standing behind her. She turned to face him. Why did the man have to look as sexy as ever, with that chiseled jaw and blue eyes that threatened to take her down under in their current?

  “Actually,” Maggie said. “I could use a good therapist after the number you did on me.” She forced a sweet smile. “Since you’re obviously messed up, who did you use?” As much as she wanted to, she avoided putting her hands on her hips. “I’ll be sure to avoid them since they, apparently, couldn’t help you.”

  She could tell her words hurt him from the pain in his eyes. “Did you come to class to berate me, or to learn something?”

  Perhaps a little of both, leaning more toward the verbal chastisement, but she wouldn’t openly admit that to him or anyone else. “I did have a self-defense technique I saw in a movie once. Perhaps you can let me show you and then you can tell me if it is effective or not?”

  “Sure.” Nick glanced to the side. “Why don’t we move over a little to give them room to practice their front and back choke holds?”

  Maggie followed him. He stopped toward the far end of the mat, away from earshot of the others.

  “I was worried you wouldn’t come today.”

  “Aww, how sweet of you.” She felt her irritation growing. “Is that why you called me all weekend?” Without waiting for him to respond, she continued, “Too bad you couldn’t communicate better when we were dating.”

  “Does that mean you won’t give me a chance to apologize?” He didn’t have a right to have pain in his eyes. He hurt her. “Because, I really am sorry.”

  “Do you mean, sorry that I found out?” Her voice was low and angry. “Or, sorry that you weren’t the one to tell me?”

  “I wish I had told you.”

  They were standing there, talking. The other students were obviously aware because they’d gotten several glances from them.

  “Maybe we should work on that SING I told you about,” she suggested.

  “Sing?” He looked bewildered.

  “Yeah,” Maggie said, “Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin,” as she delivered each move.

  Nick doubled over, but she didn’t care. All she wanted was to get out of there.

  She called her grandfather on her way to her car and begged him to have Forrest pick up Sasha and Kelly. The last thing she wanted right now was to talk to anyone. When she hung up, she turned off her phone and drove, no particular destination in mind. She didn’t want to think about anything. Especially Nick.

  Chapter Eight

  When Forrest walked through the gym doors, Nick knew then Maggie wasn’t coming back to his class. Not that he blamed her. He’d betrayed her trust, even after knowing she feared being left to fend for herself. Her father was the first man in her life to let her down, and Nick was the last. A silent prayer for her forgiveness filled his mind.

  Instead of heading over to Sasha, Forrest came to him. “Where’s Maggie?”

  “She left.” Nick swallowed the lump in his throat. “I thought maybe that’s why you showed up instead, to pick up Sasha and Kelly.”

  Forrest rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Fred said she called and asked me to pick them up, but I thought maybe the two of you were going out after class.”

  His pulse raced. There was a reason he was looking for Maggie. “Is something wrong?”

  “Yeah,” Forrest said. “A nurse called from the hospital. She told Fred that his son is in the hospital. He’s dying.”

  “And he wants to see her?” His gut constricted. “Because I don’t know that she wants to see him.”

  “I don’t know.” Forrest shrugged. “Fred didn’t get to talk to him. He was heading straight to Mercy Hospital.”

  “Did you try calling Maggie?” Nick hated to admit she probably wouldn’t answer his calls. Especially after the little ‘song’ she did on him before she left angry.

  He nodded. “It keeps going to voice mail.”

  “Let me get my purse and we’ll be ready to go.” Sasha touched Forrest’s arm as she walked past him on her way to the bleachers.

  Kelly stopped next to him. “I’m sorry about Maggie. Give her time, I’m sure she’ll come around. She wouldn’t be angry if she didn’t care about you.”

  If only he could believe that was the case. He hadn’t had much of an appetite since she found out. The thought of never holding her close, or tasting her kisses again, made him ache with loneliness. Where was she now? Did she turn her phone off? Or did something happen?

  “Do you know where Maggie may have gone?” Nick asked Kelly. “Her dad is dying.”

  “Oh, no.” Kelly’s eyes widened. “Did something happen on their trip?”

  “Their trip?” Forrest asked.

  Both of them looked at Kelly, puzzled.

  “Her mother and stepfather were on a cruise,” Kelly said. “Where are they now?”

  “I don’t know about them,” Nick told her. “It’s her biological father. Forrest can tell you more than I can.” He looked at Forrest. “It might be better if you all went and looked for Maggie. She’s mad at me right now.” His heart ached. Why was he such a fool? She needed someone now, and he wasn’t that person—even though he wanted to be. “I’ll head to the hospital and stay with Fred until she gets there.”

  That was the least he could do.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Nick saw Fred standing in the hall outside of Freddie’s room in the hospital. He paced back and forth, but stopped when he saw Nick approaching.

  He shook his hand when he reached him. “How are you doing, Fred?”

  “Not good.” The old man took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes, then shoved it back in his pocket. “The doctors say he won’t make it through the week.” Fred glanced at his son’s door. “They’re in with him now, taking vitals or something. I needed to catch my breath, think of what to say to him.”

  “Just talk to him, Fred.” Nick patted him on the shoulder. “If you’d like, I could talk with him. Maybe he’ll let me pray with him.”

  “That’d be good.” Fred nodded. “Maybe you can help convince him to see Maggie.”

  “He doesn’t want to see Maggie?”

  Fred shook his head. “He said he was too ashamed and that she’d never forgive him for walking out on them.”

  Nick prayed and asked God to give him the words to speak to this stranger. His mind skittered across some of the things Pastor had recently spoken on forgiveness. The thing with forgiveness, you were only required to ask it of God or others. God willingly forgave you. If others didn’t, then it was on them. You had done all you could do at that point.

/>   When the medical staff came out of the room, Nick slipped into Freddie’s room, giving Fred the privacy to talk with his son’s doctor.

  Freddie was on oxygen and looked weak.

  His eyebrows furrowed when he saw Nick. “Do I know you?”

  “No.” Nick wanted to shake the man’s hand out of politeness, but with an IV in one arm, and him holding a cup of ice with the other, he decided it was best not to try. “I’m a friend of your father’s, and for a while, I was dating your daughter.”

  “You’re not now?” His voice quivered, barely above a rasp.

  Why did he even tell Freddie he had dated Maggie? Was it to show him he cared about her at one time? He still did. She’d managed to worm her way into his heart. Now, he couldn’t get her out of his head.

  “No,” Nick admitted. “I messed up and wasn’t honest with Maggie.”

  “Maggie?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I call her. Now her friends do too.” Nick smiled for a moment. Thoughts of how he’d hurt her filled his head. “If I had been honest and told Maggie that I’d been married before, she wouldn’t be upset with me right now. The thing is, Freddie, we all mess up in life. But the good news is that God forgives us.”

  “Looks like I’ll be having the chance to meet Him soon.” Freddie looked nearly as old as his father. Certainly much older than Nick figured he really was. A rough life had taken its toll on the man.

  “Well, then, it looks like it might be a good time to make peace with those you are leaving behind on Earth,” Nick said. “Your daughter has turned out to be a wonderful lady. You’d be proud of the woman she has become. I know I am.” He sighed. “And trust me, if she gives you the chance to ask for forgiveness—take it. Just tell her the truth, ‘cause right now she thinks you left because of her.”

  “It wasn’t her.” His eyes widened. “I had a gambling problem and owed some very bad people money. If I’d stayed around, they would have been in danger.”

  “You left to protect us?”