Tempest Torn
Book Two of the New Hope Series
By
Nicole Andrews Moore
Copyright © 2015 by Nicole Andrews Moore
1st Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever including Internet usage, without written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Image Copyright kevron 2001: Red Umbrella in Storm
Used under license from DollarPhotoClub.com
Cover and Formatting by:
Love Kissed Books | http://lovekissedbooks.com
To Sam, my Joey,
Thank you for letting me be your beautiful disaster.
You have been and will always be the love of my life.
Home is wherever we are.
If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
--Russian Proverb
"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
-- Allan K. Chalmers
It was Finn. She was here, walking into his house, acting both entirely too comfortable, and...like she owned the place. Hours before, Joey had finally burned her box. The stupid thing was one of the few items in the closet that hadn’t been affected by the fire or water. With Marti by his side, he had watched the pictures melt, the cards char until they became nothing but a pile of ash at the bottom of his fire pit. For the first time in years, he had felt free. He could breathe without pain. He could look at a future without regret. Finally he had felt the hope this town promised.
In an instant, it all went up in flames...this promising future. Slowly, he turned and looked at Marti sitting there, so innocent, so unsuspecting. That all too familiar ache began in his chest once more. Looking at the woman he never wanted to hurt had put it there. Slowly, he walked over to the truck. Though it was only steps, it suddenly felt like he was walking miles. He was breathless by the time he opened the door on her side.
“So, I’m going to need a rain check on going to Laurel’s,” he said slowly. “This...is the insurance adjuster.”
Shaking her head, Marti spoke her mind. “I know her title. What’s her name? What is she to you?” She gazed at him solemnly, waited for his response.
Clearing his throat, he tried to control his emotions. “It’s Finn,” he murmured helplessly. His shoulders fell.
“Finn?” She was quiet a moment and he suspected it was because she was trying to place the name. Suddenly, she obviously made the connection. She looked him in the eyes as she spoke. “The box.”
Nodding, he admitted it. He was even a little surprised at how easily it all came out. “Now, she’s here, working as my claims adjuster, once more in control of my life.” His head was down. He couldn’t even face Marti, expecting to see some degree of hurt or anger in her eyes. It was more than he could handle at the moment when his everything seemed to be spinning out of control.
Without thinking, Joey laid his head on Marti’s chest. It was the perfect height since she was still sitting in the truck. He didn’t have to wait long for her hands to start massaging his scalp, drawing him closer than he already was. Then their moment was interrupted once more.
“Joseph!” Finn’s voice was sharp, irritated, and annoyed. He knew it well.
Before acknowledging her, he looked up into those chocolate eyes that always melted his heart. “Will you wait for me at Laurel’s? I won’t be long, I hope.” He smiled at her sadly.
Marti was silent for a moment. “Why don’t I stay? It will go faster if she is forced to be professional. I’m used to working with claims adjusters in my old life. Let me be your big helper.”
Studying her a minute, he considered it. Then he imagined how Finn might act in front of Marti and cringed. “No, it’s okay. I’ll see you soon.” Then he took her right hand, and laid her palm against his mouth so he could press his lips to it. He took a moment to fold her fingers like she was holding his kiss. Slowly, he backed away.
***
Ever so carefully, Marti lowered herself to the ground. After the nap, she was all stiff again and sore from the accident. She knew she must look like hell. What would Laurel say when she saw her all bruised and bloodied from the accident in Vermont? She didn’t want to think about it. She would get to experience it firsthand soon enough. Slowly, reluctantly, she walked across the road to her house and directly to the waiting minivan they had rented for the drive home. She would have to talk to her insurance company about the situation.
For a moment, she fished around in her purse, but then she realized it was a fruitless endeavor. Joey had the keys to it. She wasn’t going anywhere. Standing there sadly, she considered her options. Straightening herself to her full height, which wasn’t much over five feet, she marched back across the road. This wasn’t about him. This wasn’t even about Finn. This was about cupcakes. More than anything, at this very moment, Marti needed to eat her emotions. Those emotions required Laurel’s Boston Cream cupcakes.
When she reached the front door, she did the knock and walk. There was no doorbell, since the fire took care of that. She could see they weren’t in the living room or the kitchen. With some fear, she headed down the hall, the only sound she heard was the pounding of her heart. The carpet crunched beneath her feet, a combination of debris and damage. Slowly, she entered the bedroom. To her relief, they weren’t in there, either. With it obvious they weren’t inside, she turned on her heels and marched out the back door. The area near the fire pit had become their special spot, but it didn’t matter at the moment. She had her eye on the prize and that prize had a custard filling and thick, rich chocolate frosting.
Finn saw her first. She was standing inches from Joey looking incredibly satisfied, just like the Cheshire cat. Joey, on the other hand, looked stiff and wildly uncomfortable. At the moment, it was impossible to tell if it was because of Marti’s presence or Finn’s. Judging by the look in his eye, probably both.
Walking toward him with her hand outstretched, she said simply, “I need the keys.”
Immediately, he was flustered. “Oh,” he said while jamming a hand into the pocket of his denim jeans. He struggled for a moment with getting them out, but soon enough the wire key ring and crumpled paper tag appeared. “Here.” He jammed the key in her hand and gave her this pleading look. Clearly, he didn’t want her here.
“Fine,” she said with as much civility as she could manage. Then she whipped around and headed back through the house to the waiting vehicle.
Tough as she was, Marti didn’t let loose and cry until she had closed the minivan door and started the engine. Then she all but sobbed. Sure, she had only slept with Joey a couple of times, but since he was only the second guy she had slept with her entire life, it meant a lot to her. After not more than a minute, she pulled herself together. Crying had been a terrible idea. Her nose hurt far too much for her to blow it, dab at it, or wipe it. At the moment, so did her eyes. Maybe no one would notice. Holding tight to that thought, she headed out of her driveway and toward Laurel’s without looking back...much.
Soon, she had parked right out in front, and managed to secure her favorite table before she had to face her friend. It went...worse than she had imagined. Keely had walked through the door just as Laurel exited the kitchen and they descended upon her simultaneously.
“What happened to your face?” Laurel shrieked.
Before she could answer, Keely responded. “Oh, didn’t you hear? S
he was in a car accident. Eighteen-wheeler crushed her car when she was backing out of the driveway at her old house in Vermont. She’s lucky to be alive!”
Turning to face Keely, Laurel gasped. “Really? Oh, the poor thing. She needs food.” She started to work on that, but paused for a moment in thought. “How did I not notice this last night?”
Smirking, Keely replied, “Well, I imagine you were a bit distracted by the fire…”
By now, Marti felt all but forgotten. Apparently they didn’t need her input to enjoy this conversation. She had sat back in her seat, lost in thought when suddenly; she was confronted by two sets of discerning eyes. They were studying her. Knowing Keely, she was about to be called out for her red eyes.
“Why are you crying?” She asked with a hint of alarm. She glanced around the cafe and outside the front windows. “And where is Joseph?”
His given name. Oh, he was in trouble. She almost felt badly for telling them. Almost. Honestly, she needed the support. And a cupcake. “His insurance adjuster showed up.” She took a deep fortifying breath before continuing. “It’s Finn.” She studied their reactions.
Without waiting for an invitation, Keely sat down heavily across from her. Laurel, for her part, rushed behind the counter. When she finally returned, she had a ham and Swiss sandwich on white bread with just the right amount of leaf lettuce and Dijon mustard wrapped in a napkin, along with an assortment of cupcakes packed in a bakery box. Marti’s well-trained eye spotted the Boston Cream one immediately. She started to open the box, but Laurel slapped her hands away.
“What are you doing? Go back there. Now.” She sighed in disgust. “You can’t leave him alone with that...that dirty whore!”
With wide eyes, Marti glanced from one to the other. “I can’t?” Maybe she didn’t understand how dire the situation really was.
Shaking her head, Keely agreed. “No, you can’t. There’s too much at stake here. Your happiness. His happiness. Her unhappiness.” She folded her hands together. “Go save him from that woman.”
Shaking slightly at their urgency, Marti struggled to find her wallet in her big purse. She stood while searching. Before she could pluck it from the depths, Laurel stopped her. “You are crazy!” Then before continuing, she looked at Keely. “Oy. This one,” she murmured as she jerked her head. Turning her attention to Marti once more she barked her orders. “Just go! You can pay me some other time...like in a couple of years, with a big wedding for me to cater, and a baby shower to throw...followed by a fat and sassy baby to get under foot while I’m baking.”
Pausing, Marti looked at her and smirked. “Are we still talking about me here? I’m a little confused…”
“Of course we are! What? I look like I need a kid?” She shook her head.
“Just checking…” Marti shut her purse and started to pick up the sandwich and cupcakes.
Keely rose swiftly from her seat and held the door. “What are you still doing here? Go!” She ordered.
Without another word, Marti flew from the restaurant. It wouldn’t take long for her to return to their neighborhood on Dogwood Lane. Ever so gently, she placed the box on the passenger seat, then she fastened her seat belt, started the car, and unwrapped the sandwich. This confrontation she suspected she was about to have was not one for an empty stomach. Taking a big bite, she pulled out of her parking spot and headed back home.
Though she ate as quickly as she could, she had only managed to choke down half her sandwich before she backed into her driveway. Part of her wanted to pull in, just to goad him into lecturing her. The other part of her wanted to be the good and dutiful...whatever she was...and earn his praise and approval. The sensible part of her won out and Marti realized that she might not be so lucky next go round. After all, they have eighteen-wheelers here, too.
Grabbing the box from the seat beside her, she headed straight across the street. She decided not to bother with the front door, but instead immediately walked around to the back of the house. Hopefully, they would still be there. She could hear their voices before she saw them, but couldn’t decipher what was being said. Joey sounded both defeated and frustrated. Finn, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying herself. By the time she made eye contact, he was raking his hand through his hair and paused. She sensed he wanted to erupt at her for such a speedy return, but she silenced him. “Keely and Laurel sent me with some cupcakes. They were worried about you.” She stared him in the eye and willed him to understand. If he didn’t, no doubt they would find some way to punish him. His days of cupcakes, hot sauce, and fresh food would be over.
“Oh, that’s nice,” he said, but she recognized the fear her words had sparked.
“Don’t get too crazy, mister,” she joked. “I have designs on the Boston Cream. They are, by far, my favorite.” She offered him her best smile before she turned to Finn. “You must be almost done here, right?” Even though her words were benign, the way they were spoken wasn’t.
Smirking at her, Finn stepped forward. “Sure. I can be done...for now.” She glanced down at the iPad she had apparently been recording notes on. Then she reached inside her purse and pulled out a business card. “I’m not sure why I’m giving you this. I mean, obviously, you still have my number.” She laughed and looked at Marti meaningfully.
“Yes, he does. Oh, and now I have your number, too,” Marti said with an arched brow. If Finn wanted a challenge, she could have one.
Pretending to ignore Marti’s words, Finn looked at Joey. “Where will you be staying?” She asked. “I may need a forwarding address.”
Both women stared at him. His next words were going to be incredibly important. What he said now would set the tone, quite possibly for the rest of his life. As she watched, Marti swore she could see beads of sweat accumulating on his forehead, threatening to run down the side of his temple despite the fifty degree weather. “I’m not sure,” he spluttered.
“Oh, babe, we talked about this. You can stay with me,” Marti said lightly.
He nodded, but his eyes were wide like a deer caught in headlights. It was the look all wild things wore just before their ultimate demise. “Right.” Then he glanced at Finn. “Or Keely offered me a room at Hope House.” He shrugged.
“That might make more sense,” Finn said with a nod and a gleam in her eye.
While Marti may have glued her easy demeanor in place for her rival, when the woman left, the gloves were coming off. She took a peek at the time on her cell phone. “I would stay and help, but I have to get in touch with my insurance agent,” she said as she looked at Joe. He could no longer meet her eyes. Crushed, she took her cupcake from the box and headed back across the street.
***
This time, when Joe watched her walk away, it wasn’t the same. Instead of the semi he was used to getting from seeing the sway of her hips, this time, he felt completely bereft. It was as though where there was once a bridge, he now faced a giant gorge. He stood alone on the precipice, balancing precariously. His outcome didn’t look good. All he could do was stand there and wonder how he could fix it, if he should even try. Fucking Finn. Every time.
Why had he said those things? Why hadn’t he just admitted he wanted to stay with Marti? He surely wouldn’t be welcome there now. He looked up after kicking some loose dirt around with his boot. Finn stood there, smirking at him. It was her Cheshire cat grin. He had always hated it, this proof she knew his secrets, knew his heart. In this case, the secret was he had betrayed the woman who would never have betrayed him, a woman whose motives were as pure as her love. Somehow, it made him feel worse than anything had before.
Unfortunately, sometimes when he felt this badly, instead of fixing things, instead of facing the wrong he had done, he had this horrible habit of making everything even worse. Historically speaking, that was how it always went with Finn. Suddenly, he could see himself falling down the rabbit hole. It was already happening. Now he had to just ride it out. Working on Marti’s house on Monday morn
ing was going to be awkward.
“I’ll see myself out,” Finn said, smartly. Without waiting for an invitation, she walked over and grabbed a cupcake from the box. It was the Triple Chocolate Threat, his favorite. She knew it. Facing him, she took a big bite out of it and chewed it meaningfully. The message was clear. She could take what she wanted, do what she wanted, and he wouldn’t stop her.
Without saying another word, she walked away, heading straight through the house. Joey sat clumsily on the ground beside the fire pit where just hours before he had said his goodbyes to Finn, the one person who drove through his life like a derailed train. Loving her had done nothing but destroy him. Judging by the bitter taste in his mouth, it was starting all over again. If he had just let Marti stay, accepted the support she offered, then he would have stood a chance. He might just have exhibited some backbone. Instead, he had left himself to hang exposed and alone in the wind.
Pained, he stood and walked into what was left of his house. Grabbing his duffel bag from the bedroom, he headed out the front door directly to the truck. He couldn’t stay here, knowing she was just across the road. He could almost feel her judging him despite the distance between them. Once safely ensconced in the driver seat, he punched the dashboard repeatedly, then hit the wheel with the palm of his hand until he couldn’t feel it anymore. Then, after letting loose a scream of frustration, he started the truck, slammed it into gear, and drove out of the driveway headed toward the center of New Hope.
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