Sanctuary (Murrells Inlet Miracles Book 1)

by Larsen, Laurie

  Sadie had something to say and Nora had no idea if she wanted to hear it or not. How she would deal with it, depending on what it was. Her life was finally where she wanted it to be. Would this news shake it up again? “I read about your mother, Sadie. I’m sorry.”

  Sadie nodded and blinked, a few tears popping into her eyes. “Thank you. It was inevitable. I mean, after the accident, she was never the same, but after her confinement to a long-term care facility, her health had taken a downturn several times. I guess what I’m saying is, Dad and I weren’t necessarily surprised that this time was the end.”

  Nora nodded, trying to interpret the words. “Well, that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with, I’m sure.”

  Sadie sniffed, straightened and looked right at Nora. “My mother’s death is why I’m here, Nora. My father doesn’t know I’m here, by the way. And that’s also why I can’t stay long.”

  So, the girl was on a covert mission.

  “I wasn’t aware of you when you and my father were getting to know each other. He kept that from me, and that saddens me in a way. I wish I’d known. I could’ve let him know that I was perfectly okay with it. I’m sure he didn’t tell me because he thought I’d disapprove.”

  “He lied to me,” Nora blurted. At Sadie’s widening eyes, she regretted her outburst. “I mean, I wish he’d been honest with me from the beginning. I developed feelings for your dad that I never would’ve allowed to happen if I knew he was married.”

  “I know. And I know the marriage vows were still intact, but you have to know that it was not a true marriage for so, so long. My dad got the raw end of that deal. But he was loyal to his vows till the bitter end, and he refused to divorce my mother and leave her without means to support herself and her treatment. He paid all those bills for her for all those years.”

  Nora sighed. Yes, he was a good man. They all agreed on that. It still didn’t make right what he’d done to her.

  “My dad needs you, Nora.”

  Nora frowned, her eyebrows scrunched. “What do you mean?”

  “I saw my dad happy for the first time in a long time. He was cheerful, whistling around the house, up early and home late. Not that he was ever depressed or miserable with his life, he never was. But I saw the difference. After you left, I came to discover why. He was happy because of you. And then, he was sad. He was angry with the way he’d handled this, and he knew he had ruined the best thing in his life … his relationship with you.”

  Nora huffed out a frustrated breath. “Why do you say that? How on earth would you know that?”

  “Because … I heard it out of his own mouth. In his own words.”

  “He … told you this?”

  “No. He didn’t tell me. He told Mom.”

  Nora got to her feet, unable to sit, unable to be still. Sadie’s visit was disturbing, and she needed to move to get through it.

  Sadie went on. “Before Mom died, she had slipped into a coma. She laid there, day after day, but there is some research that says that coma patients can hear what’s going on around them. I went to visit her whenever I could. I walked into her room one day and my dad was there. He had pulled a chair up beside Mom’s bed, and held her hand. I stopped in the doorway; his back was to the door so he couldn’t see me. I just listened. He was talking to her. He was telling her about you.”

  Nora stopped pacing, turned and looked at Sadie. This was interesting. “Go on.”

  “I can’t remember his exact words, but he was telling Mom that he’d met a woman. It was the first time in their entire marriage that he’d met someone he wanted to get to know better. He told her that the woman’s name was Nora, and she was kind and beautiful and smart. He said the two of you had spent some time together and although he hadn’t fallen in love in a long, long time, he realized he had fallen in love with you.”

  Nora let out a mouthful of air.

  “While he was saying it I could tell he was smiling, remembering the times you two had spent together. But he told Mom that he had made a mistake. He had hurt you because he hadn’t told you about her. He’d made a mess of things. You were gone, and he was alone. But he prayed about it, and he knew he needed to be loyal to his vows. ‘Till death do us part,’ he told her. He wasn’t going to act on his love for you, as long as he was still committed to her.”

  Nora had stilled, and her words brought tears to her eyes. She came to the couch where Sadie sat, and settled in beside her. Sadie put her hands on top of Nora’s. “Overhearing this made me realize that my dad was head over heels in love with you, Nora. This has never happened before. You are something special to him.”

  Nora looked down at her lap. It was wonderful to hear. But it didn’t change the fact that he’d lied to her. Could she ever forgive him for that? Could she trust him?

  “I know this sounds odd coming from me, but I was happy for my dad when I realized that he’d given his heart to another. That he was even capable of giving his heart to another. It made me realize that he could actually experience love in his lifetime. No one deserves it more than him. No one has gone without true love in his life, longer than him.”

  Nora drew a deep breath. “Like him, I’ve never really experienced true love. I’ve never been married. I’ve had a few relationships, but nothing that I would consider worthy of a lifelong commitment. I’m just as inexperienced, if not more so, than your dad is. But. I do know that this is not the way to start a committed relationship. Lying to the woman that you’re falling in love with, and not revealing the fact that there’s a wife in the picture, no matter how atypical the marriage, is not the way to start.”

  Sadie squeezed her hands. “But it’s a new start now. My dad always said, till death do you part. Well, my mom is gone now. God bless her soul, the unhappy, unsatisfied woman. She never wanted the life that my dad gave her. She’s finally at peace, her wrecked body and mind. I pray that she’s peaceful now. But my dad’s still here. Is there any way you can find it in your heart to give him another chance?”

  Nora’s mind was whirring. “I honestly don’t know what to say to that.”

  “Then at least think about it. Will you do that?”

  Nora let out a chuckle. She’d been thinking of nothing else since she’d seen the Obituary yesterday. She’d already known Melanie was gone. Now she had Sadie’s endorsement. She understood Sadie’s position. She wanted to do whatever she could to help her dad find happiness. Nora just didn’t know if she had it in her to put her heart on the line again.

  Wouldn’t her life be easier if she left love out of it?

  Sadie patted her hand and stood. “I’ve taken enough of your time. I need to get back. I don’t mean to pressure you, but I just wanted you to know what I’d overheard. In case it makes a difference.”

  Nora rose and walked her to the door. She opened it and said, “By the way, how did you know I was here? And does your dad know I’ve moved back?”

  Sadie smiled. “One of my friends came here last week and you helped her come up with a killer resume. She was excited because she now has a job interview in Charleston. When she said your name, it rang a bell. I Googled you.” She turned to leave, then turned back. “And no, my dad has no idea that you’re back.”

  Sadie walked down the steps, waved and walked to her car. She was gone before Nora had a chance to wish her good luck for the day.

  The rest of the morning passed with Nora feeling like she had a weight on her head. She went through her scheduled appointments; fortunately, they were light today, just two before noon. When she wasn’t working with clients, her mind ran over her options. Stay home. Lock up her heart so it could never be broken again. Refuse to forgive Shaw for the one mistake he’d made, and never give him a second chance.

  That was one option.

  Or, try to see his side of it. He’d been alone, trapped in a prison of a marriage for his whole adult life. Somehow, she’d woken feelings in him of love and attraction. He’d found happiness with her that he hadn’t ever
opened himself up to. Yes, he’d lied to her. Yes, he’d made a huge mistake. But did that necessarily mean he’d do it again?

  There was a new start on the table today. Was she going to take it?

  What would God want her to do?

  “You have reached your destination,” said the tinny robotic voice of her car’s GPS system. Nora parked and sat for a moment, then wiped a wrinkle out of her black skirt. She drew in a deep breath.

  Well, she was here. Now what?

  She shook her head, got out of the car and walked slowly toward the front door of the memorial home. A sparse crowd mingled in the lobby and even fewer people stood in the line to go shake hands with the family. Hesitant, Nora busied herself with signing the guest book, then took a tentative look around.

  “Thank you for coming. Right this way,” said a man in a black suit, most likely an employee of the memorial home.

  “Thank you,” she murmured. She stepped in line behind a few people. A table featured several pictures of Melanie in her younger days. Happy, healthy, beautiful. One featured Melanie holding Sadie as a baby. One featured Melanie, Shaw and Sadie together. Carefree and happy. She stared at the snapshots of a happier time.

  On the other side of the room stood Shaw and Sadie, shaking hands and doling out hugs to the folks who had come to pay their condolences. Shaw looked resplendent in a black suit. She had never seen him dressed so formally and it was a good look on him. His hair was trimmed, his face was shaved and the suit hugged his fit body to a tee. If she didn’t know better, she’d’ve thought he was one of her attorney colleagues in the city.

  But she knew better. He wasn’t stuffy and competitive like the lawyers she knew in Philadelphia. He was caring and friendly, loved animals and had chosen to spend his life administering to them.

  “Did you know the deceased?” She jerked her head at the words, and making eye contact with the speaker, an older woman with gray hair, she realized they were directed at her.

  “No, I didn’t. I was friends with Shaw.” Odd, the past tense. But it was true. She wouldn’t say she was currently friends with Shaw. Would she?

  “Yeah, same here. Shaw is the best vet in this area. We’ve worked with him for twenty years. Such a shame about his wife.”

  “Yes, it was a tragic death.” Nora wiped a wrinkle from the tablecloth.

  “It was an even more tragic life. She lost her ability to live an independent life. Shaw was so patient, so kind to her, took care of her for decades, never wanting anything for himself. Now maybe he can take a moment for Shaw.”

  Nora nodded, unsure what to say. She looked around and imagined that the majority of the visitors didn’t know Melanie personally, but were here to support Shaw. She watched him focus in on each person, shake their hand, give them a hug, nod, say a few words, thank them for coming. No tears. From Sadie neither. They were simply moving through the motions of paying their respects to the woman who had played a role in their family.

  Soon, it was Nora’s turn to step up to Shaw. His head was turned away, looking at the previous guest. He turned her way. His eyes flew open with surprise, a huge smile graced his face and he said, “Nora! You’re here.” Before she could answer or even think, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping her with his body, his scent and his love. She closed her eyes and breathed it all in. It wasn’t the reunion she was thinking she’d receive. But she liked it.

  It felt like a homecoming.

  He pulled back, his hands still clutching her shoulders, and said, “I’m surprised to see you. How is it that you’re actually here?”

  She turned to look at Sadie, who was looking at her interestedly. She winked at Sadie. She wouldn’t reveal his daughter’s secret visit this morning. “I moved here, Shaw. I live out at the mansion and I’ve been here several months.”

  His mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”

  She nodded. “I opened a Dress For Success affiliate. Business is starting to pick up, and it’s going really well.”

  “Well, that doesn’t surprise me at all. You would make a success out of whatever you decided to do. But I had no idea you’d accepted your inheritance.”

  She didn’t know what to say. Obviously, he hadn’t known because she hadn’t told him. And what did that say about their relationship? His mind had gone there too, because his face suddenly saddened, wrinkles forming in his forehead and around his eyes.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said, taking the safe route.

  “Thank you. It’s great seeing you. And thanks for coming.”

  He let go of her shoulders and she took a few steps, moving on, her eyes still locked with his. “Bye,” she whispered.

  Suddenly, he said, “Nora. Can I come out to the mansion tonight? So we can talk?”

  She paused only a second before she said, “Yes. I’d like that.”

  At home, she straightened up, swiped the kitchen and bathrooms with disinfectant, mainly to keep herself occupied, then went upstairs to take a shower. She lotioned and applied makeup, and went to her closet. She chose a slimming pencil-style cotton dress with bare legs and sandals, then dried her hair, leaving it loose around her shoulders. She hadn’t cut it since she’d left her office and she sort of enjoyed the more youthful style, and its ability to look fine with a minimum of attention.

  Back downstairs, she settled into the couch. He hadn’t said when he would stop by, but knowing that he had the visitation, the funeral and a small meal afterward at the church, she imagined it would be sevenish. She turned on the TV and tried to stop being nervous.

  She must’ve gotten absorbed in a documentary on the History channel, because when the doorbell rang, she looked up, momentarily wondering who it was.

  It was Shaw, of course. He’d changed out of his dark suit and had on instead, jeans and a button down shirt. She opened the door to him and he took off his cowboy hat, holding it in one hand. She let him in, and couldn’t help breathing him in as he strode past.

  He turned, uncertain, but looked her intently in the face. “You look beautiful.”

  She looked down at herself, smoothed her dress and looked up at him. “Thank you. And you look nice too. I particularly enjoyed your suit today.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t wear that very often. I was surprised it still fit, to be honest, and didn’t disintegrate when I put it on.”

  “You’d never know it was old. It looked really nice.” She stepped to the couch and held her hand out. “Would you like to …?”

  He stepped past her and sat. She sat next to him. Her heart was beating so hard she wondered if he could see her dress flutter at the chest.

  “Nora, I can’t tell you how much it meant to me to see you at the viewing. I couldn’t believe you were standing there in front of me. I had no idea you’d left Philadelphia.”

  “Yes, I guess I should fill you in on the events of the last few months. When you and I, well, you know …”

  He bowed his head.

  She went on. “I left South Carolina and told the realtor to put the property up on the market. I went back to the law firm. I had important work, and everything was going well. It’s just that, I felt like it was a drudgery. It seemed like the same old, same old. Same life I’d lived for the last twenty some years. I yearned for something different. I wasn’t happy there anymore, the place that had been my life for so long. Then, something happened that had been on my bucket list for years. I got promoted to Senior Partner.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. I’d worked hard for it. I always wanted it. But you know what? It meant nothing to me. Not a bit. As the promotion was announced and the entire firm was standing there applauding me, I said to myself, ‘This should be the happiest day of my life. I should be ecstatic.’ But I wasn’t.”

  Shaw smiled.

  “I burst into tears, Shaw. How embarrassing. But it sure made it clear to me.”

  “You mean, he made it clear to you.”

  Nora nodded. “I’d been pray
ing for a clear sign. I took it as one. I left the office, I called my aunt’s realtor and I told him to take it off the market. I was moving to Murrells Inlet.”

  “I’m glad you’re following God’s will for your life, and I’m glad you’re here.”

  “My new life is fulfilling, less stressful, much more relaxing. I’m helping young women with a full range of career counseling services. I help them write their resumes, come up with career plans, do research, deliver strong interviews, and I provide them an outfit to go interview in, so they can knock ‘em dead.”

  “Sounds like a perfect fit for you.”

  “Want to see my showroom?”

  “Of course.”

  They stood and walked to the showroom. She opened the French doors and let him soak it all in.

  “Wow,” he breathed, focusing on the massive selection of clothes. He stepped closer and ran his hand along the racks of garments. He turned back to her. “What about helping men?”

  Nora laughed. “It’s not usually part of Dress for Success, but hey, if there’s a need I could always expand. I’m here to stay.”

  “I notice you’ve started the mansion renovations too. Your Aunt Edie would be so happy about that.”

  “Yeah, the little apartment inside the barn fit my needs at first, but I had a strong desire to restore this beautiful place to its former glory.”

  Shaw circled, taking in the progress. “I’ve never seen it look better.”

  They both stood in quiet, admiring how far she’d come to make her dreams come true. Then, Shaw turned to her. “Could I interest you in a walk on the beach?”

  “Sure.”

  They jumped into Shaw’s pickup truck and he drove four wheel drive style through the pasture. Nora gripped the arm rest to keep herself from jostling too much. They approached the beach and he parked, then came around and placed his hands on her waist, helping her down until her feet sunk into the cool sand. He removed his big, strong hands when she was sturdy on her feet.

  They kicked off their shoes and strolled leisurely on the sand, occasionally letting the surf wander up on their feet. Shaw breathed in deep through his nose. “I do love the smell of the salt marsh. Very distinctive smell, isn’t it?”