Heat singed her cheeks. “I wasn’t.”
He raised a single brow, silently refuting her denial. After a moment he dug into his cake while reading the paper in his lap.
“I saw what you just did.”
He glanced in her direction, then away, as if he planned to ignore her comment.
“You’re a nice man, Micah Gallagher.”
His expression hardened, his eyes narrowed. In a somber voice, he said, “If you knew some of the things I’ve done, you wouldn’t say that.”
What could he have done that was so bad? She’d seen him with the customers, with her grandmother, with the kids. Was he just trying to scare her away? “I’ve seen the kind of man you are.”
“You’re seeing what you want to see.” He took the last bite of cake and carried his plate past her to the kitchen. When he returned, it was only to collect the paper and retire to his room. She returned his goodnight and watched him walk around the corner.
He was every bit the man she thought he was. Her mothers saying flashed into her mind. “If it acts like a duck, looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.”
You can’t scare me away, Micah Gallagher.
Hanna and Gram grabbed breakfast off the sideboard before heading to church. Fortunately, Sunday mornings were slow at the lodge, and Mrs. Eddlestein always covered the desk while she and Gram attended church.
They were discussing the week’s menu when Micah rounded the corner. His hair was damp, and he was in his Sunday clothes, a pair of black jeans and a polo shirt.
“Mornin’,” he said.
They returned his greeting. Gram looked at her watch. “You’re running a mite late, aren’t you?” Micah always left for church by the time she and Gram sat down for breakfast.
“Overslept.”
Gram slathered jam on a piece of toast. “Why don’t you join us this morning?”
Hanna met Gram’s gaze just in time to see the wink she tossed her way.
“By the time you finish eating, your church will be starting. Besides, it’s been years since I walked into church on the arm of a handsome young man. It’ll make Gerdy jealous as can be.”
“Well …” Micah sat beside Gram with a plate of food and looked at his watch. “I suppose you’re right. I just might do that.”
“Splendid,” Gram said. “You’ll be in Hanna’s Sunday-school class. It’s for the singles. Just you make certain to watch out for Amy Lipenschiemer. That gal will have you hitched with a ring on your finger before you can turn around and say howdy-do.”
Hanna laughed. “She’s not that bad, Gram.”
The older woman sipped her tea and tossed Micah a look. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Hanna watched Micah across from her, noticing the way he blew on his oatmeal before sliding it in his mouth. His lips were tinged with pink, and when he blew, they puckered up slightly, sending the steam in a swirl around his face. She could almost feel the softness of his lips against hers. The thought sent a wave of heat coursing through her veins.
His mouth curled upward at the corners and, with a stab of dread, she met his stare. His eyes held a hint of amusement. She flushed but couldn’t seem to look away. She was melded to the warmth in his eyes. The heat within her seemed to settle in a liquid pool in her stomach as the smile fell from his lips. She drowned in the molten silver of his eyes.
Gram cleared her throat. “I guess I’ll get that.” Humor tempered Gram’s words. She left the table, and Hanna realized the phone had been ringing.
She grabbed her orange juice and sipped, more to busy herself than anything else. An awkward silence filled the air. She’d seen it in his eyes. He was drawn to her, too, whether he denied it or not. She hadn’t been out of circulation so long that she didn’t recognize attraction when she saw it. And she’d more than seen it. She’d felt it. My, oh, my. She resisted the urge to fan her face.
Soon Gram returned, and they finished breakfast in silence. Hanna drove them to church in her 4x4 and, once they got inside, she and Micah proceeded to her Sunday-school class. It wasn’t a large class, only ten or fifteen on any given Sunday, but the group knew her well enough to be surprised when she walked in with a man. A few pairs of eyebrows lifted as she introduced him as the lodge’s climbing guide. They’d arrived right on time, and Hanna was glad the class started before anyone started quizzing them about their relationship.
Afterward, they made their way back to the sanctuary and met up with Gram in the hallway. Somehow, as they filed into the short pew, Hanna wound up beside Micah, a feat she hadn’t manipulated, but certainly didn’t mind.
They spread out as much as they could on the pew, but when Gerdy passed by, Gram called out to her. “Gerdy, come sit with us.”
Hanna looked at the few inches between each of them and back at Gerdy, whose sedentary job as a police-station secretary left her hips on the wide side.
“Not enough room,” Gerdy said.
“Sure there is,” Gram said. “Scoot over, you two.”
Micah wedged into the corner, and Hanna scooted closer. But when Gerdy sat down, Gram was forced to almost sit on Hanna, so she slid even closer to Micah. Her thighs were flush with his, and she could feel the heat of his leg through his jeans. She crossed her legs, but she was still pressed up against him, shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh.
Oh, well this isn’t so bad. She stifled a giggle. She couldn’t have planned it better herself. Her gaze met Gram’s, and her grandmother winked.
Hanna’s mom and dad took a seat in front of them, and Hanna reintroduced them to Micah, whom they’d met on one other occasion. Several greeters worked their way over to shake their hands and meet Micah. Paula and David squeezed in beside her parents, and Hanna introduced them to Micah.
“She looks familiar,” Micah whispered, after Paula had turned back around in the pew.
Micah was still looking at Paula, and Hanna felt a twinge of jealousy at her sister’s glamorous red hair and immaculate style. “You’ve probably seen her on Channel 3 News.”
The music director stepped forward then, and they began a medley of choruses, using the big screen. Micah’s bass voice resonated beside her as she sang melody, and she thought their voices blended nicely. She closed her eyes and sang the words to her Father, riding on the swell of harmony.
After a lengthy time of singing, they took their seats and listened to the announcements. Next came the silent prayer time.
Pastor Richards took the podium. “I don’t do this often, but I wonder if we could join hands in unity as we go to the Lord in silent prayer.”
The congregation joined hands, moving across the narrow aisles to connect with each other. Micah moved out and grasped the hand of a preschooler, then grasped Hanna’s hand.
She slid her fingers around his hand and felt his fingers tighten on hers. His skin was warm and rough against hers. The kind of hand that could perform tasks of strength as well as deeds of kindness, gentleness.
The heat grew between their palms, and she felt as if fire licked at her skin. Next thing you know, you’ll have sweaty palms.
She forced herself to think about something else, like … Gram. She had a doctor’s appointment coming up later in the week, and Hanna was anxious about it. Lord, help the doctors to know what to do, what kinds of tests to perform. Help Gram; give her strength and peace. Give our whole family peace as we seek an answer. She’s so dear to us, Lord, it’s hard to imagine losing her slowly to Alzheimer’s. Hanna stroked Gram’s hand with her thumb. If it’s within Your will for a complete healing, Lord, I pray that it would be so. But if she’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other disease, I pray that You d give us the strength to cope. Bless her, Lord with Your—
Suddenly, Hanna realized what she was doing.
As she caressed Gram’s hand with one thumb, she was caressing Micah’s with the other.
All fingers ceased movement. She cringed. Oh, Lord! Please. Just let me melt into a
lava puddle and flow out the back door. That stupid little quirk of mine. Why can’t one side of my body do something without the other side following suit? He must think I’m completely shameless!
She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, never wanting to open them again. Oh, God, right now would be a great time for the Rapture, don’t You think?
Micah bowed his head as the pastor called for silent prayer. Hanna’s hand felt cold in his. Cold and small. But soft as a rose petal. He concentrated on keeping his hand perfectly still, but the more he thought about it, the more his muscles seemed to twitch. He imagined her hand stroking his face, his mouth. All he could think about was their twined hands inches from his body. Get a grip, Gallagher. Think about something else. He began a prayer but didn’t get far. The child on his other side was getting antsy and began swinging their hands back and forth.
The pastor began praying aloud.
Then he felt it. A barely discernible movement that grew into a fullblown caress. His breath caught. A shiver wiggled up his spine sending tingles through all his limbs. Have mercy. She was … she was stroking his hand, brushing her thumb gently across the back of his own. The movement stirred the tiny hairs on his thumb making his skin tingle with awareness. He felt every nuance. Every cell she touched. It accelerated his heart, his breathing. How could one little touch incite him to such—
Just as suddenly, she stopped. Her hand, her arm, stiffened against his. He squelched the urge to peek. But instantly he knew. She hadn’t meant to do it. Somehow, she’d done it mindlessly, then stopped when she’d realized what she was doing.
The prayer ended, and as he glanced at Hanna, who avoided looking at him, he smothered the grin that tugged at his mouth. If he were a cruel man, he could have a lot of fun with this one.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Natalie answered the phone, balancing it between her shoulder and ear.
Hanna greeted her. “Tonight’s the big night, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, and I’m feeling really nervous about it. But I’m glad Micah was able to recommend someone.”
“Have you two talked about anything yet? Has Keith told you who the woman is?”
Natalie’s stomach clenched the way it always did when she thought about her husband with another woman. “No. It’s killing me, but I thought it’d be better if we waited until we were in Mr. Schmidt’s office.”
“Keith doesn’t say anything? Is he still getting home late?”
The ache started in her midsection and radiated outward, the way it did every night as she waited for him to get home. “I don’t know if he’s working late or seeing her. I haven’t wanted to know. I’m afraid if I knew the truth, I’d blow up at him and make him leave again.”
Hanna sighed. “You’re in such an awful spot, Nat. I wish I could do something.”
“You can do something. Tell me how things are coming along with you and Micah.”
“We don’t have to talk about me. My problems are minuscule compared to what you’re going through.”
Nat felt a little smile tilt her lips. “Yes, but your problems are a lot more fun to talk about than mine. Please. Give me something else to think about for a few minutes.”
“There’s nothing exciting to report. He’s busy ignoring me, and I’m busy making a fool of myself.”
“Ooooh, you can’t stop there. Details please.”
Hanna breathed a self-deprecating laugh. “He went to church yesterday with me and Gram, and the pastor had everyone hold hands during the quiet time.”
“And …”
“Oh, Nat, it was so embarrassing! Gram was on the other side of me, and I started caressing her hand, and you know how I tend to—”
“Oh no, you didn’t.”
“I did! I could’ve died.”
Laughter bubbled up in Natalie’s throat and spilled out.
“It’s not funny.”
Natalie couldn’t seem to stop laughing, and it felt so good. It had been so long since she’d had a good laugh.
Her sister’s voice rang with the pretense of irritation. “Fine. Go ahead and laugh at my humiliation; see if I care.”
“What did he say afterward? Did you tell him you didn’t mean to?” Natalie contained another chuckle.
“I didn’t say anything. I was hoping he’d just forget the whole thing.”
“And did he?”
“He had a smirk on his face the rest of the day. Like he was amused with my … my little crush on him. But the good news is that I think he cares too. Maybe he won’t say so, but I see signs of it in the way he looks at me. There’s so much heat in his expression, if I were ice cream, I’d melt. When he looks at me like that, I know he feels it too. I wish I knew what was holding him back.”
“Maybe he had a bad relationship, got burned before, and is afraid to try again.”
“I don’t know. He keeps alluding to his dark past like he’s trying to scare me away.”
Natalie frowned. “What kind of past?” If he was interested in her sister, she wanted to know what kind of guy he was.
“Nothing to worry about, Nat. You should see him with Gram. Whenever she does something forgetful or loses something, he handles her so gently. And he’s patient with the kids and great with the customers.”
“It sounds like he might deserve you. Maybe.”
Hanna laughed. “Spoken like a true sister.”
Natalie heard a knock on the door. “Oh, gotta run, Hanna, the sitter’s here.”
“I’ll be praying about your meeting.”
They said good-bye, then Natalie went to let the sitter in.
Twenty minutes later, she followed the directions she’d taken from the secretary at One Accord Counseling. Slowing her Suburban, she slipped out of the rush-hour traffic and into the parking lot of the business complex.
When she saw the sign, she pulled into a parking space. The lot had two cars, and neither of them were Keith’s. She glanced at her watch as she walked toward the door. She was five minutes early. She hoped Keith wouldn’t be late but knew she shouldn’t expect anything else.
She entered the lobby, looking around to get her bearings. The office behind the glass partition was dark and empty, but she saw a sign-in sheet and scribbled her name on the line. Apparently the secretary worked regular business hours, but Mr. Schmidt worked evenings when necessary.
She took a seat on an upholstered chair and clutched her purse in her lap like a lifeline. What would happen tonight? Would she find out who he was seeing? Would she find out her husband was in love with the woman?
Getting him to agree to counseling had been a taxing effort in itself. He’d claimed he was too busy to see a counselor every week, claimed it was a bunch of malarkey anyway. But after three days of gentle prodding, he’d agreed. To one session only, but it was a start.
She looked around the lobby. On the wallpapered walls hung prints of quiet outdoor scenes. The mauve carpeting looked fairly new, except for the path that was worn from the entry to the hallway. How many troubled marriages had been renewed within these walls? How many had ended?
A door opened down the hall and, moments later, a woman appeared. She avoided Natalie’s eyes as she slipped out the door. Natalie watched her scurry down the walk and wondered if the woman’s marriage had ended. Had her husband left her? Was he involved with another woman? The cloud of perfume she’d left: behind carried no clues.
She heard another door open and took a deep breath. Would she have to face Mr. Schmidt alone, like she was the only one who cared about her marriage? Maybe you are.
The door beside her opened. Keith entered, and she smiled with relief. They exchanged greetings just before Mr. Schmidt rounded the corner. He introduced himself, insisting they call him Jim, then they followed him down the corridor. Relief at Keiths presence carried her to the office, but once they entered, fear twisted in her stomach as she wondered again what she would discover tonight.
The office looked like the living room or den of someon
e’s home. The lighting was neither bright nor dim, and the furniture was the pillowed, comfy sort that beckoned you after a long day.
Mr. Schmidt gestured to them to take a seat. Natalie sat in the love seat, but Keith took the padded chair instead of sitting beside her.
“Now,” Jim began, “what brings you to One Accord?” He slipped on a pair of round, frameless spectacles.
Natalie looked at Keith, whose arms lay folded across his chest. He looked toward her, then away.
How did she begin? She knew so little of what was going on. “We’re having some problems.” She cleared her throat. “I don’t know where to start.”
“How about starting when you first realized something was wrong,” Jim said.
She glanced at her husband. Apparently he was only here to fill the chair. “I was putting away his clothes one day …” She continued the story from the time she found the condom to last week, when she asked Keith to move back home. Tears flowed freely down her face as she relived the moments, and Jim plucked a tissue from the box between them and handed it to her.
She wiped her face repeatedly, crumpling the tissue between trembling fingers in between. Keith remained impassive, a virtual wall of indifference. Finally she finished talking, ran out of things to say.
Jim looked at Keith. “Natalie doesn’t seem to have the full picture. Maybe you can fill in the blanks?” Jim crossed his legs and leaned back against his chair.
The clock on the wall ticked off time. The silence thickened. Natalie watched Keith’s jaw twitch and knew he didn’t want to talk. Didn’t even want to be here.
Somewhere in the building a vacuum cleaner roared to life.
“How are you feeling right now, Keith?”
“Mad. Cornered! I feel like a trap’s been set for me, and you’re both just waiting for me to reach in for the cheese.”
Interesting that you compared yourself to a rat, Natalie thought.
“Would you agree that your marriage has problems?” Jim asked.
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