Forgiving Tess

by Kimberly M. Miller

Tess turned, her stomach tightening at the sight of the statuesque blonde who’d made it her life’s goal to harass her until she begged for mercy. That Ashley-Marie Hinton was stunning, well-paid, educated, and an experienced professional in the health care industry apparently wasn’t enough for her. For some reason, the impact of a childhood prank years before when Tess was barely thirteen years old was enough to mean they would be enemies for life.

  Regardless, it amused Tess until she considered the way it impacted her daily at work. Ashley-Marie insisted she was doing Tess some kind of favor allowing her to set foot in Pine View. That Tess got the worst hours, the jobs no one wanted, and was reminded all too often that Ashley-Marie would not let up, deepened her angst and yet caused her to remember she would work hard until she could escape and never turn back. Tess stifled a yawn and walked slowly toward Ashley-Marie, praying she was ready for whatever the woman wanted. “Yes, Ash?” A sick pleasure washed over her as Ashley-Marie cringed at the callousness with which Tess mangled her name. Both of them were aware she’d done it on purpose.

  “Mr. Conders needs his meds by four-thirty each day. Yesterday’s chart says he didn’t get them until nearly five o’clock…”

  “I wasn’t here yesterday.”

  Ashley-Marie stared hard at the chart before turning her glimmering blue eyes to Tess. She pointed at her with the end of her pen. “I am the administrator of this facility, Theresa. You will not undermine my authority at every turn.” She paused. “And I’m certain I needn’t remind you about the many times you’ve been late with Mr. Conders’ medicine. You can understand why I’d assume it was business as usual this time.”

  “Um, Ashley-Marie…?”

  Tess and Ashley-Marie both turned at the voice.

  Morgan was holding several sheets of paper. “I’m sorry to interrupt but there’s some concern over tonight’s dinner menu. Lydia said…”

  Ashley-Marie groaned and clutched the clip board close to her chest before pointing her pen at Tess again. “I’m watching you, Carson. One slip up—one—and you are out of here. And don’t think I didn’t notice that you were five minutes late…again.” She stomped off, her high heels clicking on the tiles as she grabbed the papers from Morgan and headed off down the hall toward the kitchen.

  Tess smiled at Morgan and glanced at the clock. “Thanks. I, um need to get to exercise class.”

  “Yeah.” Morgan glanced at the recreation room and smiled back at Tess. “How you holding up? Has he called yet?”

  Tess shook her head. “He called this morning to make sure I got home. But I’m not counting on it going anywhere now.”

  Morgan waved her hand in dismissal. “Come on, Tess, be a team player. How will I live vicariously through you if you don’t cooperate?”

  Tess smiled. “I appreciate it but…”

  “Save your energy for the class,” Morgan said. “And make sure you tell me all the gory details about you and Josh later.”

  “Sure thing.” Tess smiled and hustled to get her exercise class started. She was glad for the distraction work brought. It left her no time to think about the dimples that filled her dreams the night before.

  ~*~

  Josh stared at his computer screen while he daydreamed about Tess instead of reviewing his resume. He still wasn’t sure he wanted to be a senior pastor. Being close to Tess, and in a town he’d once viewed as home, was beginning to outweigh his doubts. He sighed and reached for his Bible.

  The office door opened, and Tom entered. “Morning.” He set a cup of hot coffee on the desk.

  “Thanks.” Josh accepted the cup gratefully. “Any word on the carpet?”

  Tom settled into the chair across from Josh and took a sip before answering. He nodded. “Said they’d be here between nine and four.”

  “Great timeline,” Josh said.

  “Of course. How’s Susannah?”

  “It was good timing with that situation. I’m glad Tess was here. She really reached her in a way I doubt I ever could.”

  Tom nodded. He was a good friend and mentor to Josh over the last two years, and they’d learned to read each other well. So Josh wasn’t surprised when Tom smiled at him over the rims of his glasses.

  “You’re leaving,” he said.

  Josh bristled. That his resume was on his computer screen at that exact moment was a bit too much. He shifted in his seat and took a drink of coffee. “I’m not making any decisions yet.”

  Tom set his cup down. “But she’s it. I can tell by the way you acted around her.”

  Josh wished he could avoid this conversation. “It was only a week,” he muttered, still trying to convince himself that his feelings were too rushed to be real.

  Tom sighed heavily before smiling, the sincerity in his eyes reminding Josh that his friend would be honest with him—and more importantly that he was a true man of integrity, one Josh could trust.

  “And yet women have thrown themselves at you and you’ve never blinked. This week we didn’t carry on one conversation that didn’t involve, or include, Tess.” Tom shrugged. “That alone is telling me something.”

  Josh stood and paced for a moment before sitting down. The energy and anxiety were too much. “All I’ve wanted, for years, is a place to put down roots and call home. I grew up all over the place and I never thought I was home anywhere, but the seven years we spent next door to the Carsons was different. It would be a strange coincidence that Tess shows up and I’m entertaining feelings for her.” Josh paused and finally said the words that were nagging him since Tess came back into his life again. “I could go home.”

  Tom drew a deep breath and smiled. “Have you told her what you’re thinking?”

  “Sort of, but not the extent of it.”

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  Josh laughed wryly. “There isn’t one. I can’t pick up and leave yet.”

  Tom laughed. “One thing you should learn now before you go any further. Love can’t be planned and it is usually at least a little bit crazy.” He stood and started for the door.

  “Tom?”

  The man turned to Josh.

  “Would you mind keeping this to yourself? I wouldn’t want anyone here thinking I’m not committed to this job.”

  “No problem. It’s none of my business,” he said before leaving and closing the door behind him.

  Josh leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Clearly, he needed to pray.

  ~*~

  Tess slipped into her truck and shoved the key into the ignition, glad another day was behind her. Although she was too busy to answer her phone, Stu and Josh both called and left several messages each. Tess planned to call them back soon, so they didn’t worry. But first, she needed to stop and get groceries for her empty apartment. She avoided staying there much, choosing to hang out with Stu and eat his food, grateful for the company and the way it helped her save even more money.

  And yet, at the rate she was going, it would take her almost a year to pay everyone back what she owed. With a heavy sigh, Tess steered her truck toward the grocery store, intent on filling her cart as quickly and cheaply as possible and getting home for an early night’s sleep. After a day of avoiding Ashley-Marie, she was beat.

  As Tess set the parking brake her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it, shocked to find her brother’s name on the display. Her head dropped back. She sighed, pushed the button, and pressed the phone to her ear. “Hey, Bro, what’s up?”

  “What time did you get back?” Her brother didn’t waste time with pleasantries, jumping feet first into the conversation.

  “Um…about five this morning.” Tess sat back in her seat, unwilling to talk on the phone as she shopped.

  “Hmm. And Uncle Stu’s gone?”

  Tess watched customers going in and out of the store, wondering when her brother became such a master of restating the obvious. “Yeah. Why?”

  “No reason.” Brody paused for a long moment and drew a deep breath. “Anyway, if you didn’t make pla
ns for dinner, Stell and I wouldn’t mind if you dropped by. We usually eat in about a half hour or so, but we could wait if you can’t make it until later.”

  Tess cursed the knot that grew in her stomach. His invitation, while kind, appeared forced. Uncle Stu’s voice rang clearly in her head telling her to go and not overthink it, but she shoved his phantom urging aside and cleared her throat. "Um…you don’t have to…”

  “We want to. I mean, if you aren’t busy. It isn’t a big deal.”

  Tess understood how hard the words were for him to say and that it was her fault things were so difficult. If she could be good, the kind of sister she should be, it would be normal for Brody to ask her to stop in for dinner. As it was, she’d not been to his home in months.

  But Tess was sure her brother was offering her a chance for their fragile relationship to heal and that she would be foolish not to take it. She nodded. “Sure. I’m leaving work now and I need to grab some groceries. Once I change clothes I’ll be over.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll, um, bring dessert.”

  “All right. We’ll see you in an hour.”

  “OK.” Tess ended the call as the nervous sensation took root in the pit of her stomach. This should be interesting.

  ~*~

  Tess finished shopping and was left with enough time to rush home to put the food away and change her clothes. She’d done it all fast to keep herself from thinking what she’d say to her brother and his perfect wife. Inwardly, Tess groaned.

  It wasn’t Estelle’s fault she was petite, beautiful, intelligent and basically perfect in every way Tess wasn’t. In fact, there was little Tess could dislike about her sister-in-law—well, except that since she’d entered Brody’s life he’d given little time to his sister. They weren’t close anymore and the cut was still deep. Of course, some of that wasn’t Estelle’s fault.

  Before Tess could allow this line of thinking, her phone rang. She pulled over and pressed it to her ear. She could actually see Brody and Stell’s house from where she parked. She bit her nail, already getting nervous.

  “Hello?”

  “You shouldn’t answer your phone when you’re driving.”

  Tess grinned at the sound of her uncle’s voice. “You shouldn’t call me when I’m in my truck. Actually, I pulled over.”

  Stu snorted. “Where you been? I called three times already.”

  Tess examined her nails. Her hands were rough from the hard work she’d done in Florida, her nails split and broken. She sighed. “Some of us work for a living…and since you didn’t care enough to stick around to feed me I’m buying groceries now on top of it.”

  “What are you making?”

  “I’m not making anything. Brody asked me to come for dinner, so I picked up pie for dessert.”

  Stu groaned. “You couldn’t bake one? They’ll never invite you back.”

  Tess shook her head. “I was working! I got one from the diner. It was the best I could do since he only called me an hour ago.”

  “Well, I’m sure it will be a nice meal. Stell’s a good cook.”

  “I guess.”

  “Stop overthinking it. Go in there and have a good time. You gotta meet them halfway, kid.”

  “I’m on my way there, aren’t I?” she asked. “How’s it going there?”

  “Good. Should be back early. At least that’s the hope.” Stu paused. “How’s Josh?”

  “No idea. Been too busy to talk.”

  Tess glanced up as Brody poked his head out the door as if he was checking on her arrival. He waved tentatively, and Tess waved back, her smile plastic. He smiled back and nodded when she pointed to the phone in her hand. “Hey, I gotta go. I parked close enough that Brody’s waving at me.”

  “OK. Call if you need anything, Mouthy.”

  “Sure. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Tess hung up the phone, coasted to Brody’s driveway, parked and drew a deep, shaky breath. She hoped her brother wouldn’t bring up his old friend.

  12

  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

  Ephesians 4: 32

  “Hey!” Stell said as she threw the door open to greet Tess. “We’re so glad you could make it! Sorry it was such short notice.”

  “Oh. Thanks for inviting me,” Tess said tentatively as she held out the pie. “I, um, didn’t get the chance to bake anything but I picked up a pie for dessert.”

  “That’s perfect,” Stell said as she accepted the pie and handed it off to Brody. “Set that on the table, will you?”

  “I should throw it out the back door,” Brody muttered. “Geez, Tess, you couldn’t bake us one of your apple pies, for crying out loud? It’s the only reason I asked you to come.”

  Tess glanced up at her brother and found his dark eyes sparkling in a way that made her tongue-tied. She remembered a time when his teasing was as normal as breathing, but those days felt like long ago.

  “Stop!” Stell said with a laugh as she playfully swatted at Brody who managed to duck out of the way. “We hardly gave her any notice at all. Besides, I love pie from the diner.”

  Tess pinched her brother’s side like she used to, hitting his weak spot hard enough that he nearly dropped the pie. “I will make Stell a pie anytime, but you only deserve store-bought.”

  Brody laughed as he left the room.

  Stell smiled at Tess and gestured for her to follow into the kitchen. “Come on. Everything’s ready. We can catch up while we eat.”

  Tess nodded and followed the tiny blonde with the pixie haircut through the immaculate kitchen and into the expertly-decorated dining room.

  Stell was a wedding planner and as perfect as the weddings she prepared were, her home was even more so. Each room looked as if it should be featured in a magazine.

  It was a talent Tess certainly didn’t boast. Her own apartment was more like an abandoned rental property than any self-respecting woman’s home.

  “How was Florida?” Stell asked. “You sure did get a lot of sun…” She held out a tray of chicken to Tess who accepted it and began to fill her plate.

  “Florida was hot. It went quick too. We were busy the whole time. There was a lot to do.” She passed the plate to Brody who smiled.

  “I’m guessing it only got hotter when you met up with old Jed again, huh?”

  Tess’s cheeks warmed. “We were there to work,” she said.

  “Right…” Brody filled his plate as Tess lifted the mashed potatoes and plopped a scoop next to her chicken. “He sure sounded as if he was working hard on you. Or was it the other way around?”

  Tess bristled while Stell smacked Brody’s arm. “We didn’t invite the poor girl over here to harass her.”

  “Aww, I’m only kidding.”

  Tess set her fork down and turned to her brother. “Were you kidding when you called Jed to warn him about me?”

  Brody stopped chewing and his smile slipped. He cleared his throat as he swallowed. “What?”

  Stell looked horrified. “You called Josh to warn him about her?” she exclaimed. “Brody…”

  Brody threw his hands into the air and shook his head. “I did no such thing and I resent the accusation.” He sighed, closing his eyes briefly before he continued. “Tess. You walked away from us years ago. I don’t think you know me anymore at all. So, don’t pretend you understand my motivation for that call.”

  Tess folded her arms over her chest and glared. “Well, please, oh great one, tell me why you did it.”

  A storm passed over Brody’s face. “I called to find out if you told him…what you’ve been up to. Clearly you didn’t.”

  “That isn’t our business, Brody,” Stell whispered. “It wasn’t your place to get involved.”

  “Oh, come on, Stell! Don’t take her side!” Brody tossed his fork onto the table in frustration.

  Stell sighed and gave him a glance that only a wi
fe could. “I’m not picking sides. I love you both, but you shouldn’t assume…”

  Tess contemplated her response but saw no way to win. “This was a mistake,” she said, working hard to maintain her hold on her emotions. “I shouldn’t be here.” She paused, glancing at Brody. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I tried to tell him…and he said it didn’t matter because he knows who I am now…” She forced herself to stand on shaking legs. “Maybe it was nice having someone besides Uncle Stu believe in me for a change.”

  Brody tossed his napkin onto the table and shoved his chair back in his anger. “I can’t help it if I was worried, Tess.”

  Tess placed her hands on the table and leaned toward him. “Worried about what?”

  “You. Him. Whatever.” Brody sighed heavily and searched hard for the words he needed. “Dad said he talked to Josh and he sounded…well, interested in you. I guess I wasn’t expecting that…after everything the last few years…and it scared me, despite what you’ve done lately—and even what Uncle Stu says.”

  Tess cleared her throat. “Right.” She glanced at Stell. “Thank you both for inviting me but I think maybe it was too soon.” She took a step toward the door and barely noticed as Stell rose from her seat.

  “Stop. Both of you.” Stell put a gentle hand on Tess’s arm and smiled. “Please. Sit down. We didn’t invite you here to berate you over the past.” She glanced at Brody. “Especially when we both agree you’ve come so far in such a short time. We’re proud of you and we want to support you—not question you.”

  Slowly, Tess returned to her chair and sat, wondering why she didn’t run out the door. She clenched her napkin in her hand, unsure what to say.

  Brody put his napkin back on his lap. “I’m sorry, T,” he muttered softly. “It’s still hard sometimes, that’s all. Everyone went through a lot and it’s still fresh. I didn’t call Josh to warn him about you. Not like you’re thinking anyway. I guess I was being an overprotective brother who didn’t want his sister or his friend to get hurt.”

  Tess looked at him. “I’m still working on everything,” she whispered. “And I overreacted. I’m…sorry.”