“Will you be accompanying Ms. Wilson?” she asked.
“No, Kristin can manage on her own. It will give them a chance to speak candidly and help Mac see how competent she is.” She longed to see him. She’d been miserable all weekend. At a loose end since the trip to Savannah hadn’t materialized for her, she tried to fill the hours with information on the western parks. But their final conversation echoed in her mind, distracting her. She was very ashamed of the way she’d turned down his offer. It had been due to shock, but that was no excuse.
Even if he didn’t love her, he had offered to marry her. She should have been kinder in her refusal.
“And will you be at the house when Mrs. Horton leaves tonight?” the secretary asked.
Obviously Mac had told her the entire story.
“Of course. Until he hires a replacement.” She would keep up her commitments no matter what. But she knew it would never be the same. If he arrived home before Tommy’s bedtime, she’d have to leave instantly. No more friendly meals. No evenings spent together talking over everything under the sun.
No good-night kisses.
She hung up the phone and tried to capture some of the enthusiasm for her future job. The anticipation she expected when it was finally within reach was dampened by the memory of Mac’s face when she’d crudely refused his offer of marriage. She needed to apologize for that. She should have been more gracious. But he’d caught her by surprise.
When Sam arrived at Mac’s at six, she saw an unknown car in the driveway. It wasn’t Mac’s or Alice Horton’s. Hurrying in from the cold, she opened the back door and saw Kristin at the stove and her service dog, Buddy, lying nearby, watching Tommy. The little boy had several trucks scattered around and was playing some game with them.
Alice sat at the table. She nodded at Sam when she entered. Kristin Wilson turned and gave her a bright smile. “I may have the job,” she said in her monotonal voice. She smiled at Tommy and looked back at the stew she was preparing.
“Mr. McAlheny brought Mrs. Wilson over this morning to see how she got along with Tommy. I’ve been helping and, for the most part, observing. I think they’ll get along fine. That dog nudges her anytime there’s any sound—like Tommy asking something. She’s already taught him the sign for milk and cookies.”
“Great.” Sam’s heart sank. It looked as if her connection with Mac and Tommy was ending even earlier than she thought.
“I can wait until tomorrow to give Mr. McAlheny my report. Or you can tell him when he gets here. Mrs. Wilson should get to know Tommy’s bedtime routine as well.”
“I’ll stay until Mac gets home,” Sam said, shedding her coat and laying it across the back of one of the chairs.
Once Alice had left, Sam crossed over to Kristin.
“How are things?” she asked, facing the other woman so she could see her lips.
“I think fine. The little boy is well mannered. I expect there will be times when he has a hissy fit, but I can manage. Buddy will warn me about any sounds. And I can hear a high-pitched scream. I heard enough of the children at the day care center.”
“Something smells wonderful,” Sam said, peering at the pot on the stove.
“A stew. It’s simmered all afternoon.”
Kristin Wilson could talk in a monotone. She didn’t hear her own voice, but had perfected the ability to communicate in a hearing world.
“This is a beautiful home,” she said, watching Tommy. “It would be a wonderful job if I get it. And not far from the college. Mr. McAlheny even said my daughter, Sarah, could stay over when she wanted. I can’t thank you enough for recommending me.”
“I’m happy it’s going to work out.” Sam was happy for Kristin. It was her own selfish self that wanted to hold back the inevitable.
Tommy came over and looked at the two women. He then went and leaned against Kristin’s leg. “I’m hungry.”
“Dinner ready soon. Want to wash your hands?”
He nodded. Kristin picked him up and took him to the powder room in the hall. Sam watched, feeling another pang. Just last Friday Tommy would have run to her. Now he was already switching his allegiance.
Isn’t that what she wanted? She would feel terrible if he had separation anxiety when she left. He’d been very attached to Louise and still missed her.
That obviously wouldn’t be a problem with her departure.
Sam heard Mac’s car. Her heart sped up. Kristin and Tommy were still down the hall. She’d greet him alone.
Jumping to her feet, she considered running out the front door when he came in the back, but that was a chicken way to act. She’d done nothing wrong—except in the way she’d refused his offer of marriage. She owed him an apology for that.
He opened the door and stopped a moment when he saw her. Coming inside, he closed the door, his gaze moving around the kitchen. “I see Mrs. Horton’s car is gone. But Kristin’s is still here.”
“Yes. Alice said she does well with Tommy. And apparently Tommy loves her dog. I knew he would.”
“Where are they?” he asked as he took off his jacket and put it across the chair next to the one where Sam had laid hers.
“Washing up for dinner.”
“Something does smell wonderful,” he commented.
“Alice said she’d give you her full report in the morning, but I could tell you she thinks Kristin will be perfect. Tommy already goes to her.”
He inclined his head in a half nod. “I was impressed when we met this morning. I called all her references this afternoon and haven’t heard a single negative word about her or her work.”
“Great. I thought she’d work or I wouldn’t have recommended her. She’s terrific with children and loves working with them.”
Mac reached into his suit coat inner pocket and withdrew an envelope. “In anticipation of a good report, I drew up a final check. I’ll be sure to be home early until Kristin gets settled in. We won’t need you to come by anymore.” He handed her the envelope.
Sam blinked. She knew she wasn’t needed, but it felt like a blow to hear him say not to come again. She gave a valiant smile. “I know Tommy will be in good hands.”
“I hope he won’t be a burden to Kristin.”
“Mac, I’m so sorry. It was thoughtless and wrong of me to say that. He’s adorable and I’ll really miss him.” She wanted to say more, but the words wouldn’t come.
Mac didn’t say anything. He studied the stove, avoiding Sam’s eyes. She put on her coat. “I’ll keep in touch with Kristin so I’ll know how things go.”
“If you like. Thank you for the services you provided. It helped in the transition period.”
She put on her coat, buttoning it slowly. “Was your trip to Savannah fun?”
He glanced at her and shrugged. She heard Kristin talking to Tommy as they entered the kitchen. Buddy leaned against his mistress’s leg and Kristin looked up, smiling when she saw Mac.
“There’s your daddy. Run give him a hug,” she said, putting Tommy down.
Sam watched the familiar scene. Mac scooped up his son and hugged him gently. Settling him on his arm, he told Tommy to tell Sam goodbye.
“Bye-bye,” Tommy said, smiling.
Sam whispered goodbye and left, tears stinging in her eyes. She really had no reason to ever see the McAlhenys again.
Two weeks later Sam entered her home to silence. She knew Charlene and Alice had their first evening quilting class, working on one of the patterns Charlene had designed. Monica had told them twenty-three women signed up for the six-week class.
She ran upstairs to change and then entered the kitchen to see how much work had been done that day. Because of a cancellation, Mac’s carpenter friend had been able to start renovations to their kitchen ahead of the original schedule. The roof repair had been paid off and with Charlene’s recent check from the sale of two quilts, they had enough to start on the kitchen.
The back wall had been framed and insulation installed. She could feel the differ
ence in temperature already. There was still plenty to do, but at least the elements would stay at bay.
The mail had been placed on the counter in the kitchen. Sam glanced through it, her eye stopping on one with a National Park Service logo. She opened it and read through, not understanding at first. She’d been accepted for a volunteer project at Mesa Verde National Park starting in March and lasting for six weeks. She stared at the letter. She hadn’t signed up for volunteer work. She had sent out inquiries about job openings. Was this a way to get her foot into the door?
But starting in March? That was less than a month away. She couldn’t just leave her job for six weeks.
Or—maybe she could. There was vacation time accrued and leave of absence possibilities. She clutched the letter to her heart. At last, she was going to start doing what she wanted all her life! She spun around. There was no one to share this with. Charlene wouldn’t be home for hours.
Spotting the phone, Sam crossed without thinking and dialed Mac’s home number.
“Hello?”
Just hearing his voice after two weeks was wonderful. “Mac, it’s Sam. I’m going to Mesa Verde!” she said excitedly. “I’ve been selected for a volunteer’s position. I don’t know how exactly, but it starts in three weeks and lasts for six. I’m going west!”
“I’m happy for you, Sam. I know how much you have wanted this. What will you be doing?”
“It says working on repairing and marking trails in time for the busy summer season. The park provides a place for me to stay and meals. I can’t believe it. I applied for jobs, but haven’t heard about any of those. But this is an honest-to-goodness official letter. It details when I should arrive, how I’ll get there from the airport, everything.”
“Who knows, maybe there will be a job opening while you’re there and you can segue over and continue,” he suggested, his tone polite.
“I thought I’d need my college degree first.”
“Maybe not. I’m sure there are jobs to be had without one. Once hired, you can work your way up.”
“I’m so excited. I wanted someone to share it with. I’ll send you a postcard from Colorado.”
“Tommy would love that,” Mac said.
The bubble burst. Of course Mac wouldn’t want to hear from her. She was lucky he was as cordial as he was on the phone. She hadn’t any illusions she had hurt him with her refusal, especially since Kristin was working out so well. For a moment she wished he’d protest her leaving. Say something to show he cared for her beyond child care for Tommy.
Sam had spoken to Kristin only a few days ago. She loved the position and had already had her daughter over.
Mac had his future secured, so he had no reason to continue a friendship with her. His friends traveled in circles much more exalted than her own. He’d have no trouble finding women companions. If she had any doubts, the fact he hadn’t phoned or dropped by proved it to her.
She’d missed him more than she’d anticipated. Every day she hoped one of the phone calls at work was Mac calling and talking about his day, or about Tommy. Or even a call in the evening. None came.
“I’ll send him one every week. I’ve got to go. Bye.” She could scarcely talk with the strain of tears in her throat. She was getting what she wanted, so why did she feel like crying?
Mac heard the connection end and slowly hung up. Hearing her voice was bittersweet. He was happy she liked the volunteer position. With Charlene’s help, he’d applied in Sam’s name. It wasn’t the ultimate job she hoped for, but it was a chance for her to realize her dreams earlier than waiting until she received her degree. He’d arranged for help at the Beale Foundation in her absence and sweetened the deal with a hefty donation. Her boss was sorry for her to go, but wouldn’t stand in her way. As she’d find out when asking for time off.
Mac closed his eyes, seeing her face so clearly. She probably sparkled with happiness at the news. He could picture her dark eyes lighting up in delight. He’d already heard the exhilaration in her tone. She was probably already calling for airline reservations and thinking of which clothes to take, and dancing around the kitchen in excitement.
He wished he was going with her.
No, he wished she was staying and marrying him. Wished she’d put him ahead of her teenage dreams.
But she’d made her choice abundantly clear. That wasn’t in the cards. He’d get used to it someday—he hoped.
In the meantime, he wanted her to be happy. It wasn’t her fault she didn’t love him. He still wished her the very best life had to offer, and if this was her life’s dream, why not get it? Except for Chris’s death, he’d gotten most of what he set out to do. And he hoped he had another forty years or so of growing his company and meeting the challenges ahead. Watching Tommy become a man. For a very short time he’d thought there could be more children, if he married Sam.
Knowing her had opened his mind to the possibility of finding another woman someday whom he’d fall in love with. Maybe.
He rose and went to find Tommy. Who was he kidding? He had been lucky enough to find two women in his life he cared enough about to want share his life with. He wouldn’t find a third. And right now he didn’t want to. He could picture Sam in every room, making changes, bringing life to a rather somber home. And to a man who had thought life was over except for his son.
The past two weeks had seemed empty. Alice had stayed until Kristin was fully ready to take over. He’d talked to Charlene twice. Did Sam know that? But he hadn’t heard Sam’s voice or seen her once. He missed her. How would he last another forty years without her?
“Mac? It’s Charlene again.”
“Anything wrong?” he asked. He hadn’t talked to Sam’s sister in the weeks since she told him about the volunteer job.
“Not exactly. Sam’s leaving in the morning. Her flight leaves at nine. I can’t make the airport. I’m doing so much better about getting out in public and all, but I’m not up to that.”
“Your classes are doing well. Mrs. Horton came by the other day to see Tommy and told Kristin how well things are going. I’m glad for you, Charlene.”
“Thanks. It’s not as easy as others think it ought to be. But I can’t go to the airport. And I want someone to see Sam off. You know, I think she won’t be coming home. Once there, she’s sure to find a job that will pay enough to live on. I know she’ll be back for visits, but I just have a feeling she won’t ever be living here again. Unless—Never mind. Can you take her, please?”
“Me? She doesn’t want to see me,” he protested. Yet even as he said it, he thought of seeing her again. One last time before she left Atlanta. How could he refuse?
“Forget I said that. Whether she does or doesn’t, I’ll take her. What time should I pick her up?” he asked.
“Oh, that would be perfect. She was getting a cab, so she didn’t have to park her car at the airport. She needs to be there early. So I’d say around seven.”
“I’ll be there by seven.”
“Thanks, Mac. You know, I’m sorry it didn’t work out between the two of you. I thought she—Never mind. Thanks for taking her. I know it won’t be easy. But I didn’t know who else to ask.”
So the next morning he’d pick up Sam, take her to the flight that would whisk her west—where her heart lay. He’d say a final goodbye to the only other woman he’d ever want to marry and return home hoping to find the strength to go it alone.
He’d never been able to say farewell to Chris. She’d gone so fast.
At least Sam was healthy and happy. She’d be free for the first time since her parents’ death. Not burdened with her sister or that old house. And not a young boy who had years to go before being grown.
Sam carried her bags to the front door, wishing Charlene had not arranged for Mac to take her to the airport. A cab would have been fine.
Her sister glided into the entryway. “He won’t be here for another few moments. Why don’t you at least have some toast.”
“Can’t eat a t
hing.” She was nervous. Not about going to Colorado, but about seeing Mac again. She’d thought about him endlessly since that last night at his place. Wished a dozen times or more to pick up the phone to call him, hear his voice. She missed little Tommy, too, nearly as much as she missed Mac. When she’d called to share the news about her new opportunity, she’d felt as if she’d been wrapped in home hearing him speak.
Wiping her palms against her slacks, she looked out the side glass by the door. No car yet.
Winter was starting to fade. In a few weeks, the azaleas would be in full bloom, flowering trees would burst into color. She’d be back in time to catch some of the late springtime blossoms. What were western mountain springs like?
She saw the car turn into the driveway.
“He’s here.” She could hardly wait to see him again.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for you to leave,” Charlene said suddenly.
Sam turned, startled. “What?”
“Forget I said that. Alice will be here tonight and moving the rest of her things in by the end of the week. It’s just—”
“I know,” Sam said, giving her sister a hug. It had been the two of them against the world ever since their parents died. Now she was leaving. Life as they knew it was changing again.
“But you’ll be just fine.” Sam truly believed that. Charlene had blossomed beyond her wildest dreams these last weeks. Sam wouldn’t have left if she hadn’t known her sister would manage perfectly well with her gone.
“I know it. And you, too. You’ll finally get what you’ve always wanted,” Charlene said, but her eyes filled with tears and her smile was wobbly.
“I guess,” Sam said, feeling her own throat tighten with emotion.
“Isn’t it what you’ve always wanted?” her sister asked sharply.
The knock on the door saved her from answering. She opened it and saw Mac. He looked tired and thinner than she remembered, but he was still the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.
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