He hadn’t noticed when he’d pulled up that there were children’s toys in the yard and near the front door. Mike had a child?
Mark winced when he saw the wheelchair ramp and hesitated before putting a foot on it to walk to the door. His nerves were as tight as bowstrings. He rang the doorbell. Seconds later, Tammy opened the door.
“Mark, how nice to see you again.” She pulled the door wider. “Come on in. Mike’s in the den with Johnny.”
She closed the door and Mark followed her down an extrawide hall to a large room at the back of the house.
Mike sat in what could only be called the most high-tech of wheelchairs in the middle of the room. A boy of about three was handing him a block and together they were building a tower on a tray across Mike’s knees. “Mark. Come on in. Let me introduce you to my son, Johnny.”
Mark went over to Mike, who offered his hand for a shake. “Good to see you again.”
Mike dumped the blocks into a bucket beside his chair and then set the tray next to it. “Come here, Johnny, I want you to meet someone.”
At one time Mike would have introduced him as his best friend. By the way he acted he wasn’t even a friend anymore.
The boy climbed into his father’s lap and shyly curled into Mike. He looked up at Mark with an unsure gaze.
“Johnny,” Mark said.
“I think it’s is time for someone to go to bed.” Tammy reached out and took Johnny from Mike. “We’ll let you two talk.”
Mark watched them leave the room and turned back to Mike.
“I admire you.”
“How’s that?”
“Having a wife and family. The responsibility. How do you know you’re getting it right?”
“Right? I have no idea that I am. I make the best decisions I can at the time and hope they are the correct ones. Tammy and I are partners. We make decisions together.” Mike looked directly at him. “Everyone makes mistakes. We’re all human and not perfect. We just have to try harder the next time.”
Was that what he’d been doing? Letting a mistake color the rest of his life? If he couldn’t be sure he’d be the perfect husband or father then he wouldn’t even try.
Before Mark could say anything more, Mike said, “Take a seat and quit towering over me. You always made a big deal of being taller than me. Remember you used to say that was why you got the girls, because they saw you first in a crowd.”
Mark gave halfhearted grin. Had Mike just made a joke?
Taking a seat on the edge of the sofa, Mark looked around the room.
“Why are you here, Mark? After all these years, you show up at my house now,” Mike said, as he maneuvered his chair closer and into Mark’s direct sight line.
He scooted back into the cushions. “Mike, I need to clear the air about a couple of things.”
“It’s well past time for that.”
Those words didn’t make Mark feel any better. “I’m embarrassed about how I acted after the accident. I’m so sorry I left without speaking to you and have done little to stay in touch since. Most of all, I’m sorry I put you in that damn chair.” Mark looked at the floor, wall, anywhere but at Mike.
Moments passed and when Mike spoke he was closer to Mark than he had been before. “Hey, man, you didn’t put me in this chair. I did. I was drunk and not listening to anything anyone said.”
“But I was the one going too fast. I’d driven that part of the road a hundred times. I knew about that ninety-degree turn. I overcorrected.” Mark looked up at him.
“You did. But I wouldn’t have been thrown out if I’d worn my seat belt. I don’t blame you for that. But I have to admit it hurt like hell not to have your support afterwards. I can’t believe you did me that way.”
Mark’s stomach roiled as he looked at a spot on the floor. “I can’t either. That isn’t how friends should act.” He looked directly at Mike. “All I can do is ask you to forgive me and let me try to make it up to you.”
“If you promise not to run out on me again, and buy me a large steak, all will be forgiven.”
Mark smiled for the first time. “That I can do.”
“And I need a favor.”
Mark sat forward. “Name it.”
“I need a good general practice doctor to oversee an experimental treatment that I’m about to start. Do you know one?”
“I just might,” Mark said with a grin. “What’s going on?”
“I just returned from Houston, where they are doing some amazing things with spinal injuries. With all these guys coming back from war with spinal problems, what they can do has come a long way even from nine years ago. I will have a procedure done in a few weeks and when I return home I need to see a doctor every other day to check my site and do bloodwork. My GP is retiring and I’m looking for someone to replace him who Tammy can call day or night.” He grinned. “She worries. Doesn’t believe me when I tell her what the doctor has said. Likes to hear it from the doc himself.”
“I’ll be honored to take the job. I’ll even make house calls if that will help.”
“I may hold you to that.”
For the next forty-five minutes, he and Mike talked about old times and what they were doing in their lives now. Mike had become a successful businessman. He had invented a part for a wheelchair that made it easier to maneuver the chair. As Mark drove away he looked back in his rearview mirror. Mike and Tammy were still under the porch light where he had left them. Tammy’s hand rested on Mike’s shoulder. That simple gesture let Mark know that Mike was loved and happy.
Mike had a home, a wife and child, was living the life Mark had always hoped for but was afraid to go after. All Mark owned was his car and Gus. He’d let the one special person he wanted in his life go. Ironically, Mike had moved on while he had stayed still. And he had been the one feeling sorry for Mike, when he had more in life than Mark did. He wanted that happiness in his life too and knew where to find it.
If he could get Laura Jo to listen. If she would just let him try.
CHAPTER TEN
LAURA JO COULDN’T believe the difference a few weeks had made in her life. It was funny how she’d been going along, doing all the things she’d always done, and, bam, her life was turned upside down by her daughter having a skinned knee. She’d worked Mardi Gras parades before but never had she had a more eventful or emotional season.
She scanned her parents’ formal backyard garden. There were tables set up among the rhododendrons, azaleas and the dogwood trees. None were in full bloom but the greenery alone was beautiful. The different tables held canapés and on one sat a spectacular tea urn on a stand that swung with teacups surrounding it. People in their Sunday best mingled, talking in groups. The eye-popping cost to attend the event meant that the shelter could double the number of women they took in. Her parents had convinced her to let them to do this fund-raiser so that she could get the maximum out of the grant. She’d agreed and her mother had taken over.
How ironic was it that she had rejected her parents and they were the very ones who were helping her achieve her dreams? Her anger and resentment had kept her away from her parents, not the other way around. Forgiveness lifted a burden off her and she was basking in the sunshine of having a family again. She only wished Mark could feel that way, as well. She still missed him desperately.
Allie’s squeal of delight drew her attention. Laura Jo located her. She was running down the winding walk with her new dress flowing in her haste.
“Mark,” she cried, and Laura Jo’s stomach fluttered.
She’d thought he might be here, had prepared herself to see him again, but her breath still stuck in her throat and her heart beat too fast. Each day became harder without him, not easier.
Already she regretted agreeing to let him remain on the board. Now she would have to continue to face him but he was too good an advocate for the shelter to lose him. At least, that was what she told herself. Somehow she’d have to learn to deal with not letting her feelings show.
Laura Jo had worked hard not to snap at Allie when she’d continued to ask about where Mark was and why they didn’t see him anymore. Finally, Laura Jo had told her he wouldn’t be coming back and there had been tears on both sides.
Mark lowered Allie onto her feet and spoke to her. Allie turned and pointed in Laura Jo’s direction. Mark’s gaze found hers, even at that distance. Her heart flipped.
He started toward her.
A couple of people she’d known from her Mardi Gras court days joined her. They talked for a few minutes but all the while Laura Jo was aware of Mark moving nearer.
He stood behind her. She’d know anywhere that aftershave and the scent that could only be his. Her spine tingled.
As the couple moved away Mark said in a tone that was almost a caress, “Laura Jo.”
She came close to throwing herself into his arms but she had to remain strong. She turned around, putting on her best smile like she’d been taught so many years ago. “Hello, Mark, glad you could come.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
His tone said that was the truth.
“Marsha told me that you got the house after all. That’s wonderful. With the grant and all the money you’ve raised, you’ll be able to furnish it.”
“Yes. My father was the one to outbid us. He then gave it to me.”
His brow wrinkled. “You were okay with that?”
“I was. The women needed it too badly for me to use my disagreement with my parents against them. It really was a gift to me anyway. He wanted to make amends by helping other women going through the same experience I had.”
Mark nodded. “It sounds like you and your parents worked things out.”
“I wouldn’t say that it’s all smooth going. But I’ve forgiven them. We’re all better for that. They want to see their granddaughter and Allie needs them. I don’t have the right to deny any of them that.”
“Mama, look who’s here,” Allie said from beside her.
Laura Jo hadn’t seen her approach, she’d been so absorbed in Mark. She turned. “Who—?”
Allie held Gus’s leash. Behind the dog sat Mike and next to him stood his wife. She looked back at Mark.
He smiled and turned toward the group. “I brought a few friends with me. I hope you don’t mind?”
Did this mean what she thought it did? Mark had taken what she’d said to heart and had gone to see his friend. “Hello, Mike and Tammy. Of course you’re welcome. I’m glad to see you again.”
“We’re glad to be here. This is some event. And I understand it’s for a very worthy cause. I think we’ll have Allie show us where the food is.” Mike winked at Mark. “We’ll see you around, buddy.”
Laura Jo looked between them, not sure what the interchange meant.
“You’re busy. I think I’ll get some food also.” Mark captured her hand. “When this is over, can we talk?”
A lightning shock of awareness and a feeling of rightness washed through her simultaneously. “It’ll be late.”
“I’ll wait.”
* * *
Mark sat in Mr. Herron’s den, having a cup of coffee while he waited for Laura Jo. Her father was there, along with Allie and Gus. Mr. Herron had apparently noticed Mark was hanging around after the other guests were leaving and had taken pity on him by inviting him in for coffee and a more comfortable seat.
The longer Mark sat there the more nervous he became. Would Laura Jo listen to what he had to say? Would she believe that he had changed? Would she be willing to take a chance on him? He broke out in a sweat, just thinking about it.
She and her mother finally joined them. He stood. Laura Jo looked beautiful but tired. Had she been getting as little sleep as he had?
As if her mother knew Laura Jo needed some time alone with him, Mrs. Herron said, “Why don’t you let Allie stay with us tonight? We can get her to school in the morning. She can wear the clothes she wore from home to here today.”
“Is that okay with you, Allie?” Laura Jo asked.
“Yes. Can Gus stay, too?”
“I think you need to let your grandparents get used to having you before you start inviting Gus to stay,” Mark said with a smile.
Ten minutes later, he and Laura Jo, with Gus in the backseat, were leaving her parents’ house. She had touched her seat belt when he’d looked.
“Old habits are hard to break,” he said in explanation.
“Not a bad habit to have,” she assured him in a warm tone. That was one of the many things he loved about Laura Jo. She understood him.
“I hope you don’t mind me taking Gus home. I don’t want you to think I planned to lure you to my house. I just thought Allie would be glad to see him. I didn’t think it all the way through.”
“She was, and I don’t mind riding to your house.”
As they traveled through the tunnel Laura Jo remarked, “I’ve never known my parents to let a dog in the house.”
“Gus does have that effect on people.”
She went on as if more in thought than conversation, “Come to think of it, I’ve never seen my father invite another man into his private space.”
“Maybe that’s his way of giving me a seal of approval.”
She pieced him with a look. “Are you asking for a seal of approval from my father?”
“No, the only seal of approval I’m looking for is from you.”
She studied him for a minute before asking, “Are you going to tell me about Mike and Tammy or keep me in suspense?”
“It took me a while to admit you were right. Actually, I knew all along that you were. I just didn’t want to admit it.”
“So what made you decide to talk to Mike?” She had laid her head back and closed her eyes.
He hadn’t planned to go into this as they traveled. But as usual Laura Jo had a way of surprising him. “Why don’t you rest and I’ll tell you when we get to my house?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
By the time Mark pulled into his drive, Laura Jo was sleeping. Here he was, planning to bare his heart to her after weeks of being separated, and she’d fallen asleep. He let Gus out of the car and went to open the front door.
Going to Laura Jo’s door, he opened it, unbuckled her and scooped her into his arms. She mumbled and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her head rest on his chest. He kicked the passenger door closed and carried her inside.
He loved having her in his arms again. After pushing the front door closed, he went to his favorite chair and sat down. She continued to sleep and he was content just having her close.
Sometime later Laura Jo stirred. He placed a kiss on her temple and her eyelids fluttered open.
“Hello,” she mumbled against his neck. Then she kissed him.
The thump-thump of his heart went to bump-bump.
Her lips touched the ridge of his chin, while a hand feathered through his hair near his ear.
His hopes soared. His manhood stirred. Had she missed him as much as he’d missed her? “Laura Jo, if you keep that up, talking is the last thing that will happen.”
“So talk,” she murmured, before her mouth found the corner of his. “I’m listening.”
“Maybe we need to go out on the deck.”
“Mmm, I like it here.” She wiggled around so she could kiss him fully on the mouth.
His length hardened. If he didn’t say what he needed to say now, he wouldn’t be doing so for a long time.
“I can’t believe that I’m doing this…” He pushed her away until he could see her face. She blinked at him and gave him a dreamy smile. “Why did you agree to talk to me? Was it because you saw me with Mike? You haven’t answered any of my phone calls in the past few weeks.”
“I hoped…”
“Hoped what? That I had changed my mind? Hoped you’d gotten through to me? Hoped there was a chance for
us?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Do you want there to be?”
By now she was sitting a little straighter and her eyes had turned serious. “Tell me what made you decide to go talk to Mike. When you left my place I didn’t think you ever would.”
“I went because I discovered that I was more afraid of something else than I was of facing Mike.”
Her gaze locked with his. “What?”
“Losing any chance of ever having you in my life.”
“Oh, Mark. I thought I had lost you forever until I saw you with Mike today. I knew then that you thought we had something worth fighting for. I’ve been so miserable without you.” She took his face in her hands and kissed him.
“We’ve both been running from our pasts. I think it’s time for us to run toward our future. Together.”
His arms tightened around her. Their kiss deepened. He had to have her. Beneath him, beside him, under him. Forever.
Mark lifted her off him and she stood. He quickly exited the chair. Taking her hand, he led her to his bedroom. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around and unzipped her dress. Pushing it off and letting it fall to the floor, he kissed her shoulder.
“I’ve missed you so much it hurt.”
“I felt the same.”
He released her bra and it joined her dress. There was a hitch in her breathing when he cupped her breasts. She leaned back against him. As his hands roamed, she began to squirm.
She flipped around to face him. “I want you.” Her hands went to his waist and started releasing his belt.
“No more than I want you.”
With them both undressed, they found the bed and the world that was theirs alone.
Sometime later, Mark lay with Laura Jo in his arms. Her hair tickled his nose but he didn’t mind. All was right with his world if she was in it.
Laura Jo shifted, placed a hand in the center of his chest and looked up at him. “Hi, there.”
He looked at her and smiled. “Hey, yourself.”
For a few moments he enjoyed the feel of her in his arms before he said, “I’ve worked for years not to become emotionally involved with anyone. I didn’t think I could trust myself. Then along came you and Allie. I’ve been miserable without you both. I’ve always wanted a family and when a wonderful one was offered to me, like an idiot I turned it down. I won’t do that again if the invitation is still open. See, the problem is that I’ve fallen in love with you.”
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