“Are you going to?”
“What?” Kerry looked at her cousin.
“Are you going to continue with this?”
“I don’t know, why?”
“I heard that you’ve had several calls from Carl and from Peter Jordan. You’ve put them off long enough, why not say yes next time?”
“Oh, Carl is so predictable. And Peter—”
“But if you’re sincere about moving on, you have to forget about Jake and try spending time with others,” Sally said gently.
“You’re right.” Kerry sighed. Life was difficult sometimes.
Kerry spent Friday night and all day Saturday with her cousin. When Sally was tempted to phone Greg, Kerry challenged her again to follow Megan’s suggestions. When Sally hesitated, Kerry offered a pact—they’d both practice Megan’s ingredients for one month and then take stock of where they were. And Kerry agreed to go out with whomever asked her to give herself a chance with someone besides Jake. But she would not take last-minute dates.
Late Saturday afternoon she returned home. Ignoring the house next door, she quickly drove to the back and hurried into her own house. She had the rest of the journal to finish. She wanted to know what happened with Megan and Frederick. Were there other suggestions her great-grandma could offer to help her?
The phone rang and her heart lifted.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Kerry, Carl here. I thought I’d see if you’re free tomorrow.” His voice was hesitant. For a moment Kerry almost refused to see him, then her common sense kicked in. She’d do better going out with Carl than brooding at home. And she and Sally had made a pact.
“I am, what did you have in mind, Carl?”
“That’s great! I thought we could play some tennis at the country club in the afternoon and then maybe stay for dinner. They have a swell buffet.”
For a moment the memory of another Sunday night at the country club flooded Kerry. She blinked. This was a chance to overwrite those memories with newer ones. Trying to put some enthusiasm in her voice, Kerry accepted.
As soon as she hung up, she wished she could call Carl back and cancel. How could she go out with another man when Jake held her heart?
Yet, if she didn’t, she’d be condemning herself to many lonely hours. Jake had made it clear he was not interested. In fact, she’d be surprised if he didn’t despise her after this. Taking the stairs two at a time, she hurried up to her room to fetch the journal. The sooner she finished the book, the sooner she’d know what happened to her great-grandmother. If she hadn’t been pacing herself while reading it, and dreaming about what could never be, she would have finished days ago.
Her date with Carl was pleasant, Kerry thought when she went to bed Sunday night. Nothing earth-shattering, but it had been fun to play tennis again. And she’d been reacquainted with several other citizens of West Bend. It had certainly been better than staying home alone all day.
Monday she received a call from a company which had just received her resumé. And a call from Carl inviting her out on Wednesday night. Then Peter Jordan called. He’d been one of the men to stop by their table Sunday night and he wanted to know if she were free on Friday evening. Kerry said yes to the interview, to Carl and to Peter. Maybe she couldn’t have the man of her dreams, but it wouldn’t hurt to show him just because he didn’t want her, others didn’t feel the same way.
Kerry’s interview was Tuesday morning. Kerry loved the prospects of the job. It sounded exciting and offered more potential than she expected. She met several different people during her interview—from the man who would be her immediate boss to the president of the firm. When they offered to take her to lunch, she was sure she’d have the position if she wanted.
The offer came later that afternoon. Thrilled at finding something so soon after losing her job in New York, she quickly accepted. Agreeing to start in two weeks, she planned to use the intervening days in finding a place to stay and returning to New York to pack and move.
She longed to share her good news with Jake, but prudently avoided him. She had not seen him since he’d stormed out of the kitchen Thursday night. And she would do her level best to avoid him until she moved—or maybe even beyond. Rubbing her chest, over her heart, she tried to ease the ache that seemed a permanent affliction. No use crying over spilt milk, as her great-grandma Megan had written.
She and Sally celebrated her new job Tuesday night. Carl was delighted with her news and insisted on champagne at their dinner on Wednesday. By the time she had dinner with Peter, she’d located the perfect apartment and put down a deposit.
Her flight was due to leave early Saturday morning. She planned to spend several days in New York, wind up her affairs there, and arrange for movers to come for her furniture. When she returned to North Carolina, she’d move straight into her new place. Sally would understand why she couldn’t stay in Aunt Peggy’s house. And if the yard needed more work soon, she’d do it during a business day, when Jake was sure to be at his office.
It was late when Peter brought her home Friday. They had gone dancing in Charlotte and Kerry tried to make the evening as enjoyable for her date as she could. He was an interesting man, charming and funny. She enjoyed herself. And she knew he was interested in her when he tried to press for another date. She explained she would be tied up for a couple of weeks, and he promised to call her as soon as she got her phone in her new apartment.
Slowly Kerry packed her clothes. She planned to drive to Sally’s in the morning and have her cousin take her to the airport. Since she didn’t plan to return to her aunt’s house, she made sure she had all her things. Inevitably she was drawn to the window that overlooked Jake’s house. For a long moment she stared at it, her heart aching with loss. She’d been so happy for several weeks. Smiling sadly she remembered every hour spent together. She would miss him. Miss what they might have had. But it was time to move on. The whole world was waiting for her and she couldn’t stay in the one spot she longed to.
She had practice in this. Eleven years ago she’d had to move on. Now she knew she could succeed. Life might not be as wonderful alone, but there were joys to be found along the way. And maybe another man some day.
“Goodbye, my love,” she said softly, pressing her hand against the glass as if she could reach across the yards and touch his home. Touch him.
CHAPTER TEN
Then abide faith, hope and love, these three. But the greatest of these is love. We learned this in church, and now I’ve learned it in my heart.
—Megan Madacy’s journal, Summer 1923
JAKE LEANED AGAINST the porch railing and watched as Peter walked Kerry up to her door. He’d glance at his watch, but didn’t want to make any move that might draw their attention. He knew it was late. He’d been sitting out here for hours. When he’d seen Peter pick her up, he’d been curious. She’d been out three times since last Friday night. He wondered if she were practicing her feminine wiles on all the men in West Bend as she had with him.
Anger roiled inside. He wanted to purge the sensations that wouldn’t turn loose, but not at the cost of seeing her again. She’d proved as shallow as Selena. Each out for her own gain. Never mind how the man felt.
For a long moment he tried to recapture the anguish he’d felt when Selena had thrown him over. There was nothing. Except a certain nostalgia for the young man who had thought himself in love for the first time. Looking back now, he should have spotted the inconsistencies. She had never declared her undying love, he’d projected his own feelings onto her. He’d wanted her and had been out to prove something. What, all these years later, he wasn’t sure.
His anger tightened toward Kerry. She had deliberately sought him out this visit. Planned her campaign like a general. He’d thought she’d changed, but she’d just become more crafty.
Really? An insidious voice inside whispered. Really? Who called her to ask her out? Pushing until she agreed? Had she even asked him for anything? Only the one night when she said
Sally and Greg were also coming to dinner. Other than that, he’d done all the asking. Done all the pursuing.
He tightened his fists. What was Peter doing? If he was kissing her, Jake had half a mind to wander across the lawn and stop it. A quick sock on his jaw should do nicely to put the man in his place and assuage some of Jake’s anger.
Almost growling with disgust, he shifted his eyes away from the house next door and tried to erase the images that danced before him—of Kerry with her arms around Peter. Her soft body pressed against the other man’s. Kerry’s sweet mouth moving against Peter’s. Jake tried to hold on to his anger, build the wall higher around his heart. Dammit, he was not going to have anything further to do with her!
His gaze focused on the Bandeleys’ house. He’d seen the elderly couple just that morning. Mr. Bandeley had mowed their front lawn. Mrs. Bandeley had come out right afterwards with a large glass of lemonade. They had talked softly and laughed. Jake had looked away when Mr. Bandeley had leaned over to kiss his wife of forty-two years.
His gaze moving, he looked at the Foresters’ home. They’d been married a long time, lived on the street their entire marriage. All their children were grown. He’d heard a few weeks ago that their eldest son and his wife were expecting a baby.
Peggy and Philip would love for Sally to marry and give them a grandchild. He was sure Kerry’s parents would love it as well.
He wondered for a moment if his father ever thought about grandchildren.
Peter walked down the sidewalk to his car. Jake watched, his eyes narrowed. Took the man long enough to tell her good-night, he fumed. Not that he cared what Kerry did, or with whom. But Jake didn’t move from that spot on the porch until the house next door was completely dark. In the morning, he’d return her salad bowl from the ill-fated dinner they never ate. See if she wanted to apologize. See how she looked. See—
He rose and shook his head in disgust, letting his gaze travel along the length of the street. Every family there except his had remained a family unit. Each husband and wife still greeted each other with affection, caring, and love. Grown children came back to visit, laughing and hugging their parents upon arrival.
Kerry had been right about one thing. His family had been the exception on this street. And he didn’t know the entire story—only the part a young seven-year-old felt when he never saw his mother again. When his father had changed to the embittered man he was still. What had gone wrong? Could it have been avoided? Wasn’t love enough?
Kerry hugged her cousin goodbye and smiled. “Thanks again for the lift. I’ll see you in a week or so.” Sun streamed in the high airport windows, dazzling in the early morning sky. The concourse was not crowded except around the departure gate.
Sally nodded, yawning. “I wouldn’t get up this early on a Saturday for just anyone,” she said with a mock grumble.
“I appreciate it. Take care of yourself. And remember our pledge!”
“As if you’d let me forget. Where’s the journal?”
“I left it by my bed. I still have some left to read. But I knew you’d have more time to read it this week than I will. Take it if you want. I’ll finish it when I get back. Oops, I’ve got to go, that’s the last call. Bye.”
Soon airborne, Kerry relaxed against her seatback. She had a million things to do in New York. Some favorite places she wanted to see one last time, friends she had to tell goodbye, and her apartment to pack. When she returned to North Carolina, it would not be to the arms of a tall, dark, gorgeous man, but to a new job, a new apartment and a new start in life.
She wished she could have finished the journal, but she had not. The last passage she read stayed with her, though, as the plane flew north.
My grandmother Witherspoon came today for Sunday dinner. She is a real tartar. I’ve been afraid of her most of my life. But today she asked to speak to me alone. I thought for sure I’d done something wrong, but she just wanted to congratulate me on reaching eighteen. She gave me a lovely lace handkerchief that she said she’d made as a young girl. Then she looked at me sternly with those dark eyes that seem to see everything and said, remember what the Good Book says, Megan: Now abide faith hope and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love. Faith that all you need to know in life your parents have taught you. Remember those lessons, girl.
Hope for the future. It will be what you make of it. There will be hard times, too, but don’t give up on hope. And love, child. I hope your life will be enriched with all the love your heart can hold. Now tell me about this Frederick I hear so much about!
I almost cried, she was so sweet. I’ll never be afraid of her again.
I told her about the fight we had, and how I had gone with cookies to talk with him. How when I explained what had truly happened he was so quick to apologize and ask my forgiveness. Of course I did not tell her of his kiss. That is just between us. But I know I love him and told him so. He loves me and will be speaking to Papa this week.
Kerry wished telling Jake she loved him would convince him that they should be together. She had faith in herself, however. In knowing she had done all she could to show the man she truly cared. While she had practiced some of the suggestions laid down by her great-grandmother, none had been artificial. Just a slower, old-fashioned courtship. Wryly she wondered if she could have explained that to Jake.
Her hope came for a brighter future. She had loved and not been loved in return. But that didn’t change her feelings. She would go on and do her best to find another love to share in her life. She’d keep the faith and hope in a lasting love like the one that came to her great-grandparents, to her own parents, to most of the families she knew.
And for now, she had plenty to do to pack up and leave New York.
Jake frowned impatiently. Where was the woman? Her car had been gone when he rose this morning. It was now late afternoon and she still hadn’t returned. He looked out the side window for the millionth time. Sally turned her car into the driveway and headed to the back.
Grabbing the bowl, he quickly crossed the backyards. Knocking on the door, he waited impatiently the few moments it took until Sally appeared.
“Hello, Jake.” Her tone was cool. She didn’t invite him inside.
“Sally. I’m returning a bowl. Where’s Kerry?”
“New York by now,” she said, opening the screen wide enough to reach for the empty bowl.
Jake went still. “New York?” For a moment he wondered if his heart had stopped beating.
Sally nodded, taking the bowl. “Is this Mom’s?”
“Yes. We had a salad—” They’d never eaten the salad. He’d thrown it out the next day.
Sally nodded, placed the bowl on the counter. She waited. “Was there something else?”
“I didn’t know Kerry was returning to New York,” he said slowly.
Sally shrugged. “I’m sure she thought you wouldn’t care one way or the other. I have to leave now.” She glanced once around the kitchen, then stepped outside, closed the door and locked it. Jake didn’t move. Heading down the steps toward her car, she glanced over her shoulder at him. She carried the worn leather journal in her hand.
“You’ve got what you wanted, haven’t you Jake? No one and nothing to bother you? Or care about you? I can see you in another few years, as hard to deal with as your father. Don’t worry about Kerry. She’s young and pretty and has plenty going for her. She’ll find a wonderful man who’ll appreciate her for who she is and all the love she has to offer. I hope they have a dozen kids and are blissfully happy all their lives. The woman is a idiot who thinks she loves you. Goodbye, Jake.”
Sally slammed her car door and raced her engine before backing swiftly from the driveway.
Jake listened to the echo of her words. No one to care about you. How much had Kerry really cared? Hadn’t she just been trying her tricks to get him to fall for her? Or had she loved him? She had followed him around as a teenager, tried to tell him years ago that she loved him, but he’d ruthles
sly turned her away. He hadn’t wanted some kid with a crush hanging around.
She’d come back. But if he were honest, and Jake was always honest, she had not pursued him. She’d all but ignored him until he asked to see her. Demanded to see her. Taken her dancing. Felt that sexy body press up against his. Kissed her until neither one of them could breathe.
The picnic had been fun. Discovering how she’d grown and matured had fascinated him. Listening to her talk about her job, about her friends in New York, had been enlightening. Looking for a place for her to live had been frustrating. She could stay at Peggy’s, her aunt wouldn’t mind.
He missed her.
He looked north, as if he could see all the way to New York. He’d been ruthless a second time. And driven her away again. This time forever?
Had he been too hasty in condemning her because of some stupid list? She said she could explain, but he’d never given her the opportunity. What kind of fact finder did that make him? Why had he set himself up as judge and jury?
Four years was too long to live in one apartment, Kerry decided as she hauled another bag of trash to the basement. People ought to move every year just to avoid accumulations of stuff that had no useful function. She was tired. This was the third trip today and she still had at least one more large bag of trash to haul down. Then she’d be finished sorting and could begin packing in earnest.
She stepped on the elevator and pushed the button for her floor. Tired as she felt, she had to keep going because the movers were due tomorrow and she had to make sure she didn’t ship anything she no longer wanted. Money would be tight for a while and she couldn’t afford the expense of recklessly shipping everything.
Stepping off the elevator, she reached into her pocket for her keys. The jeans she wore weren’t very feminine, but necessary for cleaning and packing. Dresses would just be in the way. But she missed them and looked forward to wearing her sundresses again back in North Carolina.
“Kerry.”
She stopped and looked up. Rubbing her eyes, she sighed. She was more tired than she thought. Now she was imagining things. If she could get through the rest of the sorting soon, she could get an early night, catch up on her sleep and be ready to go again tomorrow.
The Husband Campaign Page 15