“But that was the night—” The night he told her the truth. The night she stormed away from him and said he could never be trusted.
It was clear from the look in her eyes that she’d finally changed her mind. That she was giving him—them—a chance.
A sudden sick feeling stole over him.
As soon as she knew what was up, that Shayna had been playing them and he in turn used it to his advantage to make a point, she’d be out of his life. All because he’d been selfishly deceptive.
Feeling desperate, he tugged at his shirt collar. “Amy, I really need to tell you something.”
“In a minute. This is more important. The kids are going to the Point tomorrow and we need to be there. We have to make sure nothing happens.”
Now. Tell her now.
“Amy?”
“Yes?” Her smile was wide, her eyes bright. She placed her hand in his. His pulse quickened. He couldn’t ruin this. He’d enjoy it while he could because it was a sure bet that as soon as she found out he’d deceived her tonight, she’d be out of his life for good.
“Uh—this is nice.”
“Yeah.”
She smiled.
Quentin gave into that smile, stole a couple more kisses, and helped Amy make plans for tomorrow’s trip to Lighthouse Point, all the while feeling like a guy who gets to choose one last meal before the inevitable end.
17
It wasn’t a day for picnics and kite flying. Well, the diehards might try to fly their kites. Not Amy. It was downright nasty. A good day to stay home with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. Instead she’d be traipsing around the old lighthouse park with Quentin, spying on the kids, making sure things didn’t get out of hand.
Of course, the thought of handholding and traipsing through bunkers with Quentin had its merits. And they could always have hot chocolate afterward. But those were all added perks. Shayna was the most important. She was the reason they were doing this, but none of that could take away from Amy’s new-found happiness.
Forgiveness felt wonderful. It melted the chill around her heart and warmth radiated through her.
She loved Quentin. She’d placed her trust in him yesterday and told him she wanted to start over. Her heart’s desire! God had given it to her!
They just had to get Shayna on the right track. Then everything would be perfect.
She opened the door before Quentin could ring the bell, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Hey,” he said softly. “You ready?” He stayed on the porch.
She nodded, puzzled by his quiet tone and the fact that he didn’t attempt to kiss her back.
“Is something wrong with Shayna?”
“No.” He didn’t meet her eyes. “They’ve already left though, so we’d better be on our way.”
Amy pulled on a heavy white sweater jacket with a hood and stepped through the door, allowing Quentin to pull it shut behind her.
“It’s chilly today,” she said as she headed toward the rental car he still drove. “Much too nasty for a picnic.”
Quentin didn’t say anything as he held the door open for her.
What was wrong?
The way he avoided her eyes, his quiet tone, Amy knew something was bothering him. She had a feeling it went beyond Shayna and Bradley, though she couldn’t say why. It was just a deep-seeded feeling she had. Had she been too exuberant when she greeted him? Did he feel pressured?
Uncomfortable, Amy wasn’t sure what to do or say. She had been so enthusiastic this morning, so full of hope. Now, she felt a shiver of apprehension. Not good. Was Quentin having regrets already?
He didn’t seem to be in any sort of hurry as they drove down the winding highway. It was almost as if he wasn’t the least bit concerned about his daughter. The lackadaisical driving was so out of character for Quentin, Amy knew something was definitely wrong. She was terrified it had to do with her.
Was she being paranoid, letting the hurts of the past dim her senses?
No.
She had the strongest feeling she was about to be disappointed once again.
Her stomach knotted and a dark feeling crept over her like a shadow. Tears burned the backs of her eyes.
Why, Father? Why when we’ve just found our way back to each other? I’ve made peace with the past, forgiven Quentin. And now when my heart’s desire is within reach, it’s about to be snatched away again. I don’t understand.
“Amy, are you OK?”
She looked up at the sound of Quentin’s voice, surprised to realize she was gripping the handle of her tote bag so tightly her knuckles had turned white.
She relaxed her hand and looked over at Quentin. “I’m fine, really. Just nervous about today, I guess.”
He nodded grimly. “Yeah, me, too.”
Amy turned from him and stared out the window, still praying and trying to calm her unease. By the time they drove through the gates at the entrance to the lighthouse, Amy felt a sense of peace steal into her soul and push aside her fears. Quentin had said he loved her and she had to trust in him. God had led her to Goose Bay for a purpose, and though it differed from what she thought it was, she wasn’t finished yet. But when she was, she felt quite certain the Lord had good things in store for her. And Quentin and Shayna were a part of it. She knew it in her heart now. No matter what today held, no matter his mood, she and Quentin were for keeps.
She got out of the car, only a little nervous now. Whatever happened, she was where the Lord wanted her to be.
“There’s Bradley’s car.” Quentin took her hand and they walked toward the bunkers. “There’s no one else here yet.”
“Only crazy people would come here on a day like this.” The wind whipped at her face. “I wonder where they are?”
“Shayna’s favorite place is the lighthouse, so why don’t we head over there?”
Quentin held tightly to Amy’s hand, and it seemed to her as if he were almost afraid to let go. He had to be nervous about where this relationship with Shayna and Bradley was headed. She knew she was.
As they walked through the trees toward the lighthouse, Amy felt seventeen again. She squeezed Quentin’s hand, wondering if he felt it too.
He smiled at her and her tension melted away. His smile was genuine. No matter what was bothering him this morning, Amy knew he loved her.
“I’m so glad I found you again,” she said.
“Me, too.”
They kissed gently then Quentin pulled back. “Amy, promise me...” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
“Quentin, what? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said. “Forget it.”
But Amy couldn’t. That unsettled feeling was back with a vengeance.
“I’ve always loved the smell of these woods in the rain,” she said determined not to push him.
“I’ve always loved being here with you. It was never the same here after you left town.”
Again that squeeze of apprehension, but she pushed it away as the lighthouse came in to view.
Old, but well cared for, it was postcard perfect. The historical society made sure of that, with fresh white paint and bright flowers bordering the walkway.
What used to be the light keeper’s living quarters was now the historical society’s gift shop. Just stepping out of its doorway were Shayna and Bradley.
Amy stopped in her tracks. “What do we do now? They weren’t supposed to see us.”
Quentin dropped an arm on her shoulders. “Amy, there’s something I have to tell you. Shayna, Bradley, come here.” He motioned to the kids and they walked slowly toward her.
Bradley seemed upset, and something about the look in his eyes made Amy suspect Shayna had just broken up with him. As they approached, he appeared to struggle with his emotions. Amy’s heart went out to him.
Quentin held his hand out to his daughter. “Shayna and I both have something to tell you.”
And odd feeling shivered up her spine and tickled the hair at the nape of
her neck. “Quentin, what’s going on?”
Amy listened in silence while Shayna told of her deception. She was touched, flattered even, that Shayna considered her worthy of possibly being her stepmother.
That was something she could forgive.
Quentin’s actions, however, were a different story. Just last night he’d listened to her say she loved him. He’d listened to her concerns about his daughter, and all the while he knew what Shayna and Bradley had been up to. Yet he’d never said a word. There were no words to describe how foolish Amy felt.
“Amy, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t.” Furiously, she shoved Quentin’s arm from her shoulder. “I don’t want to hear it.” She turned and ran, her steps automatically carrying her toward the lighthouse tower. She didn’t even realize her destination until her footsteps rang out on the wrought iron steps that led to the parapet.
Once at the top she stood looking out at the water, shivering in the cold. The choppiness of the water reflected the storm in her soul. When soft footsteps sounded behind her Amy didn’t turn around. She knew it was Quentin but didn’t care. He’d just sliced her heart to ribbons with his lies, and she wasn’t about to give him the time of day.
“What would you say if I told you this was all a harebrained idea gone south?”
Quentin came up to stand behind her and she found herself wanting to lean into his warmth. But she didn’t. Couldn’t. She held herself rigid and remained staring out in the distance. “I wouldn’t believe you.” But she wanted to. Oh how she wanted to.
“When I found out Shayna lied to you, to us, I wanted to tell you right away. But while we were talking, I had this crazy idea you were about to realize what I’d been trying to tell you about us being too young.”
“And I did. So?”
“So—” He faltered. “I thought it might take away some of the hurt of me having had those doubts in the first place. But as soon as you started talking about trusting me, I realized you’d see my silence as lying.”
“It was.”
“I won’t argue with you. But Amy, I knew then that it was over. You’re so rigid where lies and trust and forgiveness are concerned.”
Rigid? Is that what she was? Quentin didn’t give her a chance to think about it, because he was still talking.
“I knew there was nothing I could say at that moment to make you understand. So I said nothing and hoped that somehow, today, we could enjoy ourselves together one last time.”
The only time they spent together today was in the car. That certainly didn’t count as enjoying themselves.
“You changed your mind, didn’t you?” She looked at him in surprise. The implication started the thawing of her heart. “Rather than spending the day deceiving me, you brought me straight here. Right to where Shayna was waiting. So you could tell me together and get it out in the open sooner rather than later. You wanted to end the deception as soon as possible.”
Quentin stared at the circular floor. Amy followed his gaze. Through the pattern in the wrought iron, she could see all the way down to the bottom of the lighthouse. Though she couldn’t see them clearly, Amy knew Shayna and Bradley were standing below.
“You could have spent the entire day with me, following them around. Yet you didn’t. Why?”
“I didn’t want to lie to you. I felt sick last night. I ruined things between us, and I didn’t want to hurt you any more than I already have. I was awake all night, praying for the right words to tell you. Praying you wouldn’t be hurt by all of this.”
His motives were pure. He loved her. He’d spent the entire night awake, praying for her. Amy felt the tears burn her eyes.
Tentatively, she stepped toward him. She heard Quentin’s sharp intake of breath. She stared straight at him, but he didn’t move.
“Amy?” He looked at her uncertainly.
She nodded.
A smile spread across his face and he scooped her into his arms.
“Does this mean you forgive me?”
“What do you think?”
Amy weaved her hands through his hair and pulled his face toward hers. When their lips met, she heard shouts from below.
“Way to go, Dad!”
“All right, Mr. Mac!”
“Oh, and Dad, does this mean I can call her Amy now?”
Epilogue
The bright July sun beat down on the back yard of the old Kincaid place. Soon to be the Macmillan place, it was decorated with pink and white ribbons and bouquets. White wicker chairs were set up in front of a rose-entwined archway. Every seat was taken.
Mrs. Parsons was there, front and center. Before the ceremony began she told Quentin that Foster missed Rufus so much, she was buying a nearby piece of property so she could get a duck or two. For the cat, of course.
Nick St. James and his daughter, Emily, also sat in the front row, along with Stewart Snyder, Miki, and Bradley. Shayna had let Bradley down easy, and the pair agreed to remain friends, though it appeared to Amy that Bradley hoped to someday persuade Shayna to change her mind. Best of all, though, Bradley was now a member of the church’s youth group.
Some of Amy’s students from school, and some of Quentin’s students from youth group sat in the next row. Russ Miller’s family sat in the third row.
The only ones missing were Amy’s parents. They were vacationing somewhere in the South of France. They said their reservations were paid for long before Amy called telling them about her engagement. It hurt that they put a vacation before their daughter, but her father had graciously welcomed Quentin to the family and told him he never really thought he was a loser. When Amy’s father said he’d just been a father looking out for his daughter, Quentin laughed and said he totally understood.
Russ stood next to Quentin, humbled that he’d been asked to serve as best man. The depths of Quentin’s heart knew no bounds and Amy loved him all the more.
All smiles and the picture of loveliness, Shayna stood up for Amy.
At the front of the archway, between Quentin and Amy, stood the minister. Amy’s left hand was outstretched toward Quentin.
“Quentin, please place the ring on Amy’s finger and repeat after me.”
“I just have to do one thing first.” He grinned and winked at Amy. Her heart soared. That smile was hers to look at for the rest of her life.
Quentin reached inside his jacket. When he withdrew his hand, Amy’s breath caught in her throat.
“For keeps,” he whispered as he fastened the pearl necklace around her throat. “Even if I have to go on my honeymoon in a pink car.”
Amy smiled up at him and touched the pearl, happy to have it back where it belonged. She knew this sealed their vow more than a ring ever would. “For keeps.”
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AMDG
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