Wayward Hearts

by Susan Anne Mason

  “Come on. Let’s walk.”

  They got out of the car, and she led the way toward the sound of falling water. Robot-like, he followed her.

  “So what’s your dad doing back here after all these years?” she asked when she couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

  “I have no idea. Other than trying to mess with me and my mom.” His scowl left a ridge in his forehead.

  “Must’ve been quite a shock.”

  He didn’t reply.

  Dumb, Maxi, dumb. Think of something to say. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on in your head?”

  He glanced over at her. “I think that was pretty evident before.”

  “Yeah. I was glad you didn’t grab that hammer ’til after he took off.” She was gratified to see a faint twitch to his lips. They walked on. “He obviously wants to talk to you about why he left.”

  “And I don’t want to hear it. His excuses don’t mean a thing.” He reached down to pick up a pinecone and threw it into the air. It hit the water and skipped a few feet before sinking.

  They continued to a spot where a fallen log served as a bench overlooking the cascade created by the waterfall. The soothing rush of water always made Maxi feel better.

  “Let’s sit down.”

  “I’ll stand, thanks.” He moved to the edge of the river bank.

  She pushed her hands into the pockets of her cotton pants and followed, considering her next words with care before she spoke. “Maybe your father realized what a terrible thing he did and wants to make amends.” She thought of her own father and how she’d always wished he would come to her, apologize for the hurt and anger he’d heaped on her, and ask for her forgiveness. She would’ve given anything for that.

  “It’s too late for apologies. Twenty years too late.” The terseness in his voice made her wince.

  “It takes some people longer than others to ask for forgiveness, if that’s what he’s here for. Some people never get there.” She swallowed hard. “What if your father died and you never got the chance to reach some sort of peace between you? Wouldn’t you regret it for the rest of your life? I know I do.” Hot tears burned the back of her eyes. Whether she wanted to face it or not, this was the tragedy of Charlie’s death. That she would never get to hear him say he was sorry. That she would never get to tell him how much she regretted her part in Drew’s death.

  She felt Jason watching her as she struggled to contain her emotions. This was not about her. She’d lost her chance to reconcile with her father. Maybe her job right now was to help Jason figure out how to reconcile with his.

  Jason closed his eyes and exhaled loudly, rocking on his heels. “We’re quite the messed up pair, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, we are.” She glanced at him staring out over the water and hoped her next point wasn’t hitting too low below the belt. “Doesn’t your newfound faith include a tall order of forgiveness?”

  A nerve jumped in his jaw. Coins jangled in his pocket as he fiddled with them. A soft breeze blew the hair over his forehead, and her heart ached with tenderness. She longed to gather him close, to hold him and ease his pain. But she didn’t dare, afraid her actions would reveal too much.

  She startled when he reached out to grasp her hand. Then in one quick movement, he drew her to him. At first, she stiffened at the close contact but soon allowed herself to relax into his arms, giving him the comfort he needed.

  “How do I let go of all this hatred inside?” he whispered into her hair.

  The feel of his warm breath on her cheek made her pulse quicken. “I’m not sure. But maybe hearing his side of the story will help you decide if you can.”

  He sighed deeply, his chest expanding under her. “I’ll think about it. That’s all I can do right now.”

  “It’s a start.” She pulled back to look at him. The pain on his face made her want to weep. “You’re entitled to your feelings, Jason, no matter what they are. If you can’t change them, then accept it and move on.”

  Wow, that sounded insanely mature. Maybe she should take her own advice. Apply it to her own mixed-up life.

  “Thanks.” He gave a thin smile. “That helps.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Their eyes locked, and for one heart-stopping moment, Maxi couldn’t breathe. The intensity of Jason’s gaze held her riveted until he slowly lowered his mouth to hers. Currents of electricity raced through her veins as their lips joined. Like a flash fire, the heat flared between them. He wrapped strong arms around her, pulling her feet off the ground, while his mouth devoured hers.

  When they finally pulled apart, Maxi rested her head on Jason’s chest, trying to get her breathing under control. Regret and sorrow choked her airways. She hadn’t brought him here for this reason.

  “This isn’t a good idea,” she whispered. “I’m going back to New York soon. I don’t want to start something we can’t finish.”

  She felt the walls go up around him. Literally, his chest muscles solidified, one by one, until he set her away from him. The look in his eye was unfathomable. His mouth, soft on hers a moment ago, hardened into a solid line. “You’re right. Let’s forget this ever happened.”

  And he stalked off toward the car, leaving her heart shattered into tiny fragments.

  15

  Gloria slammed out of the Cut ’N Curl, making the bell almost fly off its pins. Usually she enjoyed getting her hair and nails done, but not today. The only thing anyone in this town talked about anymore was Maxi North. That and Charlie’s unfortunate death and the terrible fire at the North farm. All the old biddies at the hairdressers seemed obsessed with the topic. She, for one, was tired of hearing about it. She wished Charlie North hadn’t been stupid enough to get himself killed and that Maxi had never returned to Rainbow Falls.

  Gloria got great satisfaction from the sound of her high heels tapping out the rhythm of her annoyance as she strode down Main Street toward the drug store. Maxi North had been a thorn in her side all through high school. Maxi’s low opinion of her had kept Jason from ever giving Gloria a second glance. A fact proven when he hooked up with her once Maxi had moved away and their ”friendship” had cooled.

  Now Maxi was back and staying at the Hanleys’. That thought, more than anything, rankled Gloria. She needed a plan to get Maxi out of Rainbow Falls for good.

  As if she’d conjured him up from her imagination, Jason walked out of Dave’s Hardware Store and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of her. There was no polite way he could ignore her, and Jason was nothing if not polite. Her heart picked up speed in her chest at the sight of his rugged profile.

  Pleased her blonde tresses looked their best just coming from the salon, Gloria put on her brightest smile. “Why, Jason Hanley. It’s been too long.”

  He turned to look at her. “Hello, Gloria.”

  Not letting his lack of enthusiasm dissuade her, she hooked her arm through his. “How is the fireman training going? You know I admire you for having such noble career goals.”

  He shot her a sideways glance. “It’s coming along. Thank you.”

  “When will you be a full-fledged fire fighter?”

  She knew men loved to talk about themselves, and women who showed an interest in their affairs proved practically irresistible to them.

  “I have two more courses in the fall, and I’ll be done.”

  “Wonderful. I can’t wait to see you in your uniform.” She winked at him.

  He only frowned.

  “Are the rumors true? You’re planning to propose a fire station in town?”

  His frown deepened. “Where’d you hear that?”

  She waved a hand to show off her perfect French manicure. “Through the proverbial grapevine. Are you saying it’s not true?”

  “I’ve been looking into it.”

  She beamed at him. “Well, I, for one, think it’s a brilliant idea. I’ll be sure to mention it to Daddy and get him to approve any loans you may need.”

  The fact that Owen Johnson was
the head of the bank often proved beneficial to Gloria. Why didn’t Jason seem more interested? More enthused about the help she could offer him?

  He stopped on the sidewalk beside his truck and pulled his arm free from hers. “If and when I need a loan, I’ll handle it myself. Have a nice day.” He nodded to her and then loaded his purchases into the back of the truck.

  Gloria swallowed her annoyance at his attitude. “See you again real soon,” she called.

  He gave her one long look before hopping into the driver’s seat. A look that made her pulse trip as she recalled their fevered kisses. She’d loved Jason Hanley since high school, and nothing would stop her from getting him back. As she watched the truck pull away from the curb, the seed of a plan began to take shape.

  A brilliant plan that might accomplish everything she wanted in one shot. As well as solve another bigger problem that had been niggling at the back of her mind for several weeks now.

  She smiled to herself and continued on to the drugstore.

  ****

  Wailing a hammer into wood was a great stress reliever, Jason decided. Upstairs in Maxi’s farmhouse, he’d almost completed the framework for the new window. Tomorrow the contractors would come to shingle the new roof, now that it was framed and ready. The knot of tension—the one that should be easing up, knowing Maxi and her mother would soon be able to move back into their home—still screamed in Jason’s neck. He took a break from hammering to rub it.

  The sound of tires on the gravel below pulled Jason to the window. Maxi’s car jerked to a stop in front of the house, stones spewing from under the wheels. The knot cinched tighter in Jason’s neck. What was she doing here? He’d come to the farm to avoid her.

  She jumped out of the car, obviously embroiled in a heated conversation on her cell phone. She gestured with her free hand and then ran it through her hair, which she now wore in a sleeker style. Jason watched for a minute longer then frowned. Judging by her erratic hand movements and frantic pacing, something was wrong. He huffed out a loud breath. Despite his annoyance at her, he couldn’t prevent himself from going down to see if she needed help.

  “I’ll be back as soon as humanly possible, Philippe.”

  Jason heard the frustration in her voice as he stepped out onto the porch. With her back to him, she didn’t know he was there.

  “Look, I’m doing as much as I can from this end. I don’t know what else you want me to say.” She stopped dead in her tracks. “If that’s the way you feel, why don’t you give the partnership to Sierra right now and save us both a whole lot of trouble.”

  She stood for a moment, almost vibrating with rage. Then, in a pose that would rival a major league pitcher, hurled her phone across the field.

  Jason struggled to contain the urge to laugh. Right at that moment, she turned to see him watching her from the porch. He schooled his face to make sure he wasn’t smiling.

  She frowned, hands on her hips. “Well, don’t just stand there. Help me find my phone.”

  Stifling a grin, he set off after her. It took them several minutes on their hands and knees in the long grass to find it.

  “I take it there’s trouble in New York.” He held out the phone in one hand and extended the other to help her to her feet.

  Maxi pocketed the device. “That’s an understatement.”

  “Wanna talk about it?” The last thing he wanted to hear about was her yearning for the big city, but she probably needed to vent.

  “My boss wants me back. Now.”

  Jason frowned as they walked toward the house. “Did he threaten you?”

  “Not in so many words. He hinted that Sierra was showing more interest in the partnership than me. And if I was serious about it, I’d better start showing him.”

  His stomach clenched. “So you’re heading back then?”

  “How can I? I can’t leave Mama in limbo.”

  “She’s OK with us for a while.” He hated giving her a way out, but then again, she’d go one day anyway.

  She glared at him. “Are you trying to get rid of me, Hanley?”

  He sighed. No matter what he said, he couldn’t win. “Just trying to help. If you need to go back for a few days, Bernice will be fine with us.”

  A war of emotions played over her face. He knew she was tempted by his offer, but before she could answer, the sound of an approaching vehicle pulled her attention away.

  “You expecting someone?” he asked.

  She didn’t answer but shaded her eyes to watch the car turning down the long driveway. She noticed the rental plates at the same time he did, and her face drained of color.

  The vehicle pulled to a stop behind Maxi’s Toyota. A lean, blond man in a fancy suit and sunglasses stepped out of the sleek vehicle. Jason stiffened. This must be the hotshot boyfriend. He glanced at Maxi to see her reaction, not knowing what he’d do if she threw herself into the guy’s arms. Or worse.

  He was gratified that she didn’t seem the least bit happy to see him. In fact, she looked a little green around the edges.

  “Lance. What are you doing here?” She took a hesitant step forward to meet him on the driveway.

  “Hey, honey. I came to see how you’re doing.” In a slick move, he whipped the glasses off and bent to kiss her cheek.

  Jason disliked him immediately.

  Maxi’s face flamed as she pushed away from him. “Lance, this is my good friend, Jason Hanley. Jason, this is…Lance.”

  Jason shook his outstretched hand, pleased to note he was a good two inches taller than Lance with much more muscle. The guy might be rich, but Jason could take him in a fight.

  Lance stepped back to look at the house. “You weren’t kidding when you said you came from a small town. More like a farm.”

  Maxi jutted her chin out the way Jason loved. “It is a farm. I grew up here.”

  Blond eyebrows winged upward. He scanned Maxi from head to toe taking in her denim overalls and tie-dyed T-shirt. “Getting back to your roots, I see?”

  “I’m here to help with the renovations. And to feed the chickens.” She gestured toward the coop in the field behind them.

  Jason’s lips twitched as Maxi’s infamous temper built. “Speaking of renovations,” he said, “I have work to finish inside. I’ll let you two catch up. Nice to meet you…Lance.”

  “Same here.”

  “Holler if you need anything, Max.” Like someone to throw Lance off the property.

  Then he turned and headed into the house, fully prepared to spy on them from the upper window.

  ****

  Maxi swallowed her mortification at Jason’s rude behavior, hoping Lance hadn’t caught on to his undertones. To her relief, Lance seemed oblivious.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked again.

  Lance frowned. “You don’t seem too happy to see me.”

  “I’m just surprised. I told you there was no need to come.” The fact that he would override her wishes and show up here unannounced did not win him any favor.

  “I wanted to see the problem for myself.” He glanced at the hole in the roof. “Now I understand the reason for the delay.”

  “Yeah, and the barn’s completely gone.” She waved in the direction of the remaining half wall. “If we want to sell the property as a farm, we’ll have to rebuild it.”

  She shuffled from one foot to the other, feeling at a distinct disadvantage next to Lance’s designer suit.

  He ran a finger around his tight shirt collar. “It’s been a long drive from the airport. Could I maybe get a cold drink?”

  She hesitated. “Have a seat on the porch, and I’ll see what we have.” She felt bad for not inviting him in. Even worse for being embarrassed by the un-chicness of her parents’ home compared to his ultra-modern condo in the city.

  He frowned slightly but agreed. Soon she reappeared with two glasses of iced tea and sat down beside him on the wooden deck chairs.

  After a long gulp, Lance set the glass on a side table. “I thought
you’d want to know what’s going on at the salon.”

  She stiffened in her seat. “How do you know what’s going on there?”

  “I am a client, remember? That’s how we met.”

  “Yes, but you’re my client.”

  He reddened a bit and shrugged. “I couldn’t wait forever for a haircut, so I went to someone else.”

  Maxi couldn’t have felt more betrayed if he’d said he was dating another woman. “Who?” she demanded, her gut already telling her exactly who had cut his hair.

  “I thought you’d want me to get some feedback for you, so I went to Sierra.”

  She glared at him. “Traitor.”

  “Hey, that’s not fair. Don’t you want to know what I found out?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. What’s the ice princess up to?”

  He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “She’s stealing your customers. And telling Philippe they’re hers now.”

  Maxi’s stomach clenched. She should’ve known Sierra would take advantage of her absence.

  “Her main coup is Mrs. Hoffman.”

  She gasped. Mrs. Hoffman, one of the wealthiest women in Manhattan, had been a loyal customer since Maxi’s first week at Baronne’s. The fact that she would jump ship hurt Maxi’s feelings, not to mention her pride.

  “There’s several more, too. I didn’t catch all their names.”

  Maxi gripped the arms of the chair to keep her temper in check. “I can’t believe this.”

  He leaned closer, his face intent. “Maxi, if you want this partnership, you need to come back. We’ll have to do major damage control. If it’s not already too late.”

  “We’ll have to do damage control?” She narrowed her eyes, her suspicious nature taking over. “Why do you care so much about this?”

  A flash of hurt passed over his features. “We’ve been going out for six months now. I know how much you want this promotion. Am I wrong to care about you—about your career?”

  Maxi bit her bottom lip, doubts swirling through her.

  He reached over to take her hand in his. “I’ve booked you a ticket on my return flight tonight. Come back with me.”