Avery rushed to her friend. “No, Teddie. I’m glad you took me out yesterday. I had a great time, and even though some of the changes weren’t a perfect fit, I care about myself again, and I thank you for that.”
“No need for thanks.” Teddie blushed under her rouge and suddenly became quiet and thoughtful. She looked at the half-eaten omelet on a plate and the book of scriptures lying open on the kitchen table. “Rider and I wanted to invite you to join us for breakfast, but I can see you’ve already eaten.”
“I appreciate the offer.”
A wave of melancholy seemed to sweep over Teddie as she sidled over near Avery’s open Bible. “From the look of the Good Book open like that, and you all gussied up, I’m guessin’ you’re about to leave for church.”
“Church starts at eleven. I dressed early so I wouldn’t be rushed. There’s plenty of time to chat before I have to leave.”
Avery sat on the arm of the sofa as Teddie drifted to the six-shelf bookcase filled with books for all ages, from the works of Dr. Seuss to C. S. Lewis, as well as adult titles spanning all genres from Moby Dick to recent New York Times best sellers.
“Ahhh . . . you love to read too! No matter where we went or how poor we were, that was one pleasure a lack of money couldn’t deny. I’d pile my kids in the truck and head off to the library with them every chance I got. One summer we read all of Walter Farley’s Black Stallion books.” She sighed long and low as her fingers ran over each volume. “I loved them when I was a child.”
She turned around to face Avery, her voice dreamy and soft. “By nightfall Rider’d be so exhausted he’d fall asleep right after supper, so all the kids and me would snuggle in one bed in the trailer, or, if the night was beautiful, we’d pile blankets in the back of the truck and read by flashlight until the last one nodded off.” She laughed. “If I still had any steam left in me I’d pull out a romance novel and read awhile, dreaming about the characters’ fancy lives.”
Avery could hear the longing in Teddie’s voice.
“And then my own dreams came true!” Her laugh was filled with utter happiness.
Avery beamed at her friend, completely delighted that good fortune had found such a deserving woman. She watched as Teddie read the titles on the spines of the books, and then she tensed nervously as Teddie reached Jason Murdock and the Lost Cause, by Avery Elkins Thompson.
“Avery?” Her gaze moved from the book to Avery and back again, as a nervous caution dimmed her smile. “Is this you?”
Avery stood frozen. Busted. Suddenly wishing she hadn’t dodged Teddie’s previous inquiries about her vocation. “Uh,”—she cleared her throat—“yeah. Do you like mysteries?”
“But . . . ,” Teddie’s eyes were as big as saucers, “you told me you worked with high school kids.”
“I do, now. As a volunteer.”
The confusion and mistrust on Teddie’s face cut Avery to the core.
“But why didn’t you tell me you were an author?”
Avery knew the reason. She just hated vocalizing it. “Because . . . because I don’t write anymore. That part of my life is over.”
She glanced at Teddie, who was glued to her spot, staring at Avery as if seeing her for the first time. Fear of another loss swept over Avery, reigniting her grief.
Teddie slid the book back on the shelf with reverential care and eyes cast downward. She chuckled cynically. “Here I was, goin’ on and on about readin’ books in the back of a truck. I must’ve sounded like some kind of idiot to you.”
Avery walked to the sofa and sat on the arm. She reached a hand out and took Teddie’s. “No, Teddie. Just the opposite, in fact. I haven’t written a single word worth publishing since Paul took sick, and I haven’t typed anything at all since he died. When I think about everything you’ve faced and how you’ve risen above it, I feel small. Adversity made you strong. I let it break me.”
Teddie brushed off the compliment. “Maybe it’s just too soon. You’ve been through an awful lot.”
“We’re more alike than you realize, Teddie. We both started out poor. My fairy tale came true a little sooner than yours, when I married Paul. I was just a struggling author before, but he inspired something wonderful in me. He was the source of my success, and when he became sick, well, I just couldn’t sustain the dream alone. But not you. You would never let life bury you. You earned your fairy-tale ending.”
Teddie gave Avery’s hands a firm squeeze. “My mama taught me that whenever the good Lord lets life dump a helpin’ of trouble on our plate, it’s for just that reason—to help. It might not taste good. It could be a bitter thing, but once we get through it we’ll most likely find that it made us stronger, wiser, kinder. But you won’t know until you’ve finished chewin’, and I’d say you’ve still got a few bites to go.”
Avery marveled at how this woman continued to surprise her. She wished she had some inspiring gift to share in return. There was a time when her mind was filled with inspiring stories or passages from the scriptures that came to her in a moment of need. They’d been her anchor after Paul’s death, but she visited those old friends less and less frequently of late. The moment made her hunger for the firm anchor she’d allowed to slip slightly from her once-sure grasp, and she was grateful she’d felt the tug to return to church and feel the Spirit there.
An idea popped into her head. “Would you like to come to church with me today? I’d love to have a friend to sit with.”
“I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t been in a while.” Teddie paused for a moment and leaned against the bookshelf. “When Rider and I started out, all we had goin’ for us was the Lord and the love of the good folks in whatever Texas Bible church we found ourselves visitin’ each week. I took the kids to church every Sunday, rain or shine.” She bit her crimson lip and shook her head. “We found a sweet little church when we first arrived in Baltimore. Went a few times too. Then we started showing homes on Sundays and we never made it back. I haven’t been faithful like you.”
“Oh, Teddie. I’ve failed too. I’ve gone to church, but all I’ve really done is fill an obligation and occupy space on a pew. The messages were bouncing off me. I wasn’t absorbing them into my heart. Coming back here, being with you yesterday . . . I started taking a hard look at myself, and I didn’t like what I saw. I suddenly missed feeling close to God.” She pointed to her open scriptures. “Today is the first time I’ve read the Bible in weeks, and I have to admit that it’s the first time I’ve felt like myself in at least as long.”
“Maybe we were supposed to find each other. To lift each other.”
“I think you’re right.”
Teddie’s face lit up as she moved to Avery. “Rider and I have appointments to show properties later today. But I’ll tell you what. How about we swap services next week. Go with me and Rider to our meetin’ at nine, and we’ll go with you to yours at eleven. How’s that sound?”
“I think it sounds great.”
“I’m gonna go run this all past Rider, all right?”
“All right.” She smiled at Teddie’s enthusiasm. “And tell Rider thanks for last night.”
“Sure, honey. See you in a bit.” And then Teddie was gone.
Avery spent an unsettled hour reading and rereading the same chapters as her mind drifted to her last conversation with the kids. At 10:20, she grabbed her coat and keys. Her hand was on the doorknob when the bell rang. She opened the door and saw the most beautiful sight—Teddie and Rider dressed up and smiling nervously. Rider looked handsome in a brown suit with a maroon-striped white shirt and bolo tie. Teddie’s hair was swept up in a smooth, loose bun that gave her a sophisticated look. Small pearl studs replaced the dangling earrings that seemed to be her trademark. Her dusty rose-colored A-line dress had a demure neckline that showcased a single strand of pearls.
Avery was awed by the changes. “Teddie, you look absolutely beautiful,”
“Doesn’t she, though?” Rider put in.
Teddie blushed and tugged
on her dress. “Surprised you, didn’t I? I’ve only been a sugar baby for a few months. Before that I was just an ordinary mama of four.”
Avery laughed. “Teddie, no matter what you wear, you would never be an ordinary anything. But what about your appointments?”
“Cancelled them,” said Rider as he offered each of the ladies an arm. “Shall we go?”
As soon as they entered the meetinghouse, Avery remembered why she loved the city congregation so much. A dozen or so congregants of diverse colors and nationalities welcomed them as they made their way to a pew. The familiar prelude hymns brought Avery an instant sense of coming home while she watched with curiosity as Rider and Teddie smiled at parents working to settle their children. The meeting passed quickly, and at the end of the closing prayer, she turned to them and saw contented smiles on their face. “Did you enjoy the meeting?”
They looked at one another and smiled. “The message was especially nice,” said Teddie.
“It’s a lot quieter here than the services we’re used to.”
Teddie rushed in. “I think what he means is that there was a lot less singing and sayin’ amen.”
Avery chuckled. “I suppose so.”
“But it felt like a hug, and made me realize what’s been missing in our lives. Thanks for reminding me, Avery.”
Chapter Six
Anna Maria Island, Florida, March 16
Gabriel was in the office off the kitchen, paying the bills, when he heard the girls drag in. From snippets of their conversation, he deduced that they’d been house hunting, and the way they flopped into their chairs made it appear as if every ounce of their strength had been drained. He could tell they were overdramatizing a bit, but even taking their theatrics into account, he knew how terrified they were of the move. Anna Maria Island was approaching a peak in the tourist season, and housing was getting tight.
“What about one of those condos in Holmes Beach?” Emilia asked. “They were cute.”
Gina’s reply came in the tone she used when she thought the person she was responding to was daft. “The lady wanted prime waterfront rates for those tiny closets, and she was at least two full blocks from the beach. It was a rip-off.”
“All right. Then what about those furnished condos at Wildgrass Springs? Those prices were reasonable.”
“I can’t live in a place that feels like a motel room,” Gina said.
“You’ve got to stop comparing every place to this one, Gina. We’re not going to be able to find anything that feels like home.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” Gina snapped back.
“Let’s make the best of things. It’s only for a few months.” Gabriel heard the pause and listened intently.
“Do you really believe that?” Gina whispered.
“Of course, I do. That’s what Dad said.”
“Don’t you see? He’s rushing to leave now. Face it, Emilia, he’s pushing us out—for good. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plans on selling this place once we’re gone.”
Gabriel’s heart sank. It was all he could do not to run into the kitchen and call the whole plan off, but he held his place and listened on.
“He wouldn’t do that, Gina,” Emilia said. “That would be too calculated and sneaky. That’s not how Dad handles things.”
“That may not be how Dad used to handle things but look at all the changes he’s making lately. He’s going through some midlife crisis or something.”
Guilt tore at Gabriel over Emilia’s trust in him, and then Gina’s last comment almost made him laugh. He heard a chair scoot out abruptly and the cookie jar lid rattle, and he knew Emilia was reaching for comfort in a macaroon.
“We were talking about Mom the other day. He said he could hardly remember their time together anymore. Maybe that’s why he wants to go north. Maybe it has nothing at all to do with sightseeing. Maybe he’s lonely for her.”
“Then why wouldn’t he be content to stay here with us?” Gina asked in a childlike, wounded tone. “We’re all he has left of Mom.”
“Maybe he’s going up north to finally let her go.”
“What’s that mean for us, then? He’s all we have too.”
Emilia flopped into the chair. “Maybe that’s the problem.”
Gabriel couldn’t silently listen any longer. He stood and wiggled a chair, cleared his throat loudly, and entered the room nonchalantly.
“Dad!” the girls gasped, obviously startled by his appearance.
“Hello, my angels,” he replied with cheery ignorance, laying his hand lovingly on each of their heads as he passed by. “Who’s cooking tonight?”
“It’s my turn,” Gina replied. “It’s not much. I picked up some carry-out lasagna.”
Gabriel acted completely clueless. “Bad day at City Hall? I suppose that place is in a frenzy. They barely get past the Heritage Day festivities and then they’ve got the St. Patty’s Day Parade to pull off. I imagine you’re up to your eyeballs with work.”
Gina stared at him, obviously miffed that he was unaware of the agonizing mission from which she and Emilia had recently returned. “Yeah, I put tourist packages together all day to lure more competition down here, people who’ll be looking for housing while I’m trying to keep from becoming one of the working homeless myself.”
Emilia’s eyes darted between her sister and her father.
Gabriel knew his expression reflected the sting, but he forced his voice to remain even and calm. “I have a nice lead on a place. Eva Castillo came into the shop today. Her daughter-in-law, Nancy, is confined to bed for the remainder of her pregnancy. Nancy’s mother can help with the children for two weeks, and then Eva is heading to Arizona until Nancy delivers and is back on her feet. She’s planning on renting her house out while she’s away.”
Emilia’s eyes lit up. “That’s only a block away and along the beach!”
“Yep.” Gabriel hoped his smile would encourage them.
“How long will she be away?” Gina wondered.
“At least three or four months, but her son has been trying to get her to move, so she’s considering relocating. If she does, she’d sign a long-term lease.”
Gina shot Emilia an I-told-you-so look. “What you’re actually saying is that we’d either need to move twice or sign a lease for longer than we agreed.”
“I’m just saying you might want to speak with her and negotiate something. That’s all. Please don’t make it seem as if I’m tossing you into the street with nothing but a crust of bread and a note pinned to your shirt. You are both college-educated adults you know.” He was amazed how good those words suddenly felt.
“But,” Gina blurted.
Emilia jumped in. “I think Mrs. Castillo’s place sounds perfect, Dad.” Her wide eyes burned into her sister’s, clearly signaling for Gina to cool it.
“At least it’s waterfront,” Gina conceded as she reheated the lasagna in the microwave. “Have you advertised this place to rent yet?”
“I’ve spoken to a few realtors about prices and contracts, but that’s all. I told you I wouldn’t until you two have a signed lease, but I really need you to step it up. I’m leaving in about a week. Promise me you’ll speak to Eva tomorrow, all right?”
Emilia wrapped her arms around her father’s neck while Gina glared at her. “Sorry, Daddy,” said Emilia. “I know we’ve been dragging our feet, but we really did try this afternoon. I’ll see Mrs. Castillo tomorrow, right after my two o’clock class, okay?”
“Thanks, angel. Any news on your internship?”
Emilia brightened. “I was shopping in Sarasota, and I stopped by the Colton Agency’s office.” She clutched her hands to her chest and sighed. “Oh, Daddy, it’s fabulous! Very upscale and classy. I wanted to start today.”
Gabriel raised his eyebrows. “I’d’ve thought a fund-raising corporation would keep a more modest profile.”
“Well, they’re primarily a PR firm. You have to look successful to be successful, Daddy.”
> Gabriel glanced at his worn jeans and light flannel shirt. “I suppose so.” He chuckled. “The lasagna smells great. How about I cut some fruit or throw a salad together?”
Gina looked sheepishly at her father, who was already on his way to her aid. “I can do it, Daddy.”
Her soft, sad voice tugged at Gabriel’s heart as he enfolded her in his arms. His shirt became moist from her silent tears. Framing her face in his hands, he pulled away from her. “Think of this as an adventure, not an exile.”
Gina wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, then returned to her father’s embrace. “It’s not just that. It’s everything. You’re leaving, we’re leaving, and I think Mark is already dating.”
Gabriel felt his body lurch. “Why do you say that?”
“Last week I saw him drive up to D. Coy Ducks in one of Island Motors’ sports cars—with a blonde. I spied on him for a while, and eventually they came out laughing and hugging, and then they drove off together in her convertible.”
Emilia gasped. “Mark’s not the clubbing type. There’s got to be some other explanation.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gabriel asked.
“What would you have done, beat him up?”
“And then I dropped my news on you. I’m sorry about the timing.” He hugged her again and whispered in her ear. “You’re awfully upset about some blonde and a guy you supposedly don’t care about anymore. Maybe you ought to give this thing another try, angel.”
Gina pulled away and shook her head, never meeting her father’s gaze. “I’ll go make the salad.” She turned away, wiping her eyes.
In a flash, Emilia was by her side, one arm around her sister and the other hand-washing salad greens. Gabriel studied the pair working in sync, like watch parts. There were no words to describe the love he felt for his girls.
A SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE BOXED SET Page 55