Season of Hope

by Lisa Jordan

The man was great at being in the right place at the right time.

  Their eyes tangled, and for a moment, she couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. The laughter and music faded into the background as Jake crossed the room to stand in front of her close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from him in the warm kitchen. He nodded to the stove. “Grab some pizza while it’s hot. Even if it’s been ruined with fruit.”

  She smiled and lowered her voice. “You remembered.”

  Her breath hitched in her chest as he reached up and ran two fingers through the hair around her face, then held up a small leaf.

  Of course.

  He was being kind getting something from her hair...probably left from Annabeth. And she was ridiculous, reading something into his touch that wasn’t there.

  She took the leaf, crushing it in her palm. “Thanks.”

  He touched her chin, lifting her face to look at her. His softened expression turned Tori’s bones to jelly. “There’s very little I’ve forgotten, Victoria.”

  Instead of the censure that usually came with her given name, his tone spoke of tenderness, filling her with something she was almost too afraid to claim...hope. Was there hope for her and Jake?

  That thought stayed with her ten minutes later as she took her pizza and glass of iced tea out to the back deck. She sat in one of the Adirondack chairs, set her plate on the side table and drew her knees to her chest. She brushed her cheek against the softness of Jake’s sweatshirt, inhaling the scent of fabric softener. She rolled her shoulders to try to loosen the tight muscles from painting all day. She picked up her pizza and sank her teeth into the ham and pineapple, appreciating the tangy sweetness.

  She didn’t care how much the guys ribbed her about her favorite toppings, claiming fruit didn’t belong with meat. She was touched Jake had remembered because she hadn’t mentioned it.

  As she chewed, she rested her head against the back of the chair and looked at the stars, thinking back over Jake’s gentleness and the way he helped with Annabeth. And the tenderness of his touch as he rubbed Tori’s neck.

  If only things had been different. If only she hadn’t been such a fool.

  The screen door banged, startling Tori and jerking her upright. Chuck stepped onto the deck with a pizza pan in one hand and a spatula in the other. “Hey...oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Was just checking to see if you were ready for another slice yet.”

  “Thanks, but I’ve barely touched this one.” She held up the partially eaten slice.

  “No worries. Plenty more when you’re ready.” He turned to go.

  “Hey, Chuck?” Tori set her pizza on her plate and brushed her hands together.

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks. For everything. For allowing me to barge in and be a part of it. Especially with it being Father’s Day and all.”

  “Young lady, you are welcome here anytime. I mean that.” With the motion light shining behind him and the moonlight overhead, Tori couldn’t make out his expression, but the warmth in his tone loosened the knots in her stomach.

  Chuck headed back to the kitchen, but a moment later he stepped back onto the deck, his hands full of his own food. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Of course not.”

  He settled into what seemed to be his favorite chair. He turned his plate in his hand, then set it on the floor next to his feet. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands in front of him. “Jake told us about your past with him.”

  Heat prickled her neck and crawled up her face. She dropped her gaze to her half-finished pizza, her appetite vanishing. “I’m so sorry.”

  “For what?”

  She shrugged, searching for the right words. “Hurting your son?”

  “I appreciate that. A parent hates seeing his kid in pain. I don’t know what all he’s told you, but the past few years have been hard on Jake. He’s suffered a lot of loss. If you don’t mind an old man’s advice—be patient with him. He returned home from the service a changed man. He’s as stubborn as a mule, but he’s fiercely loyal to those he loves.”

  She nodded. “I know.” The weight of Chuck’s words burdened her, especially knowing her cowardly actions were part of the reason for Jake’s changes. “You’re a good dad. He’s fortunate to have you. Not everyone’s been as blessed as Jake and Tucker.”

  “Speaking from experience?”

  Tori hesitated, then nodded slowly. “My mom died while giving birth to me. And I don’t think my father ever forgave me for that.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She gave him a wry smile. “Thanks.”

  “Did you get along with your dad?”

  “On the surface. My father had high standards, and I spent most of my childhood failing to please him. I think my sister joined the military to escape his control.”

  “That’s a tough way to grow up. A child shouldn’t have to wonder if her father truly loves her. Mind if I ask a personal question?”

  “Sure.”

  Chuck cleared his throat. “Are you a Christian, Tori?”

  She nodded, almost relieved it was about something she had confidence in. “Yes, I am.”

  “Then you know you have a Heavenly Father who loves you without condition. To Him, you are His favorite one.” Chuck reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  Tori blinked back the rush of tears and tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. “I do know that. But...”

  “But what?”

  “Even though I know in my heart that God loves me, my head gets in the way with a lot of self-doubt. The Bible tells us there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love, yet I struggle with measuring up...with being good enough...with being deserving of His love.”

  “But that’s the awesome thing about God’s grace. None of us deserves it. Yet, He gives it freely, without condition because of His overwhelming love for us. There are many things you can doubt in life, Tori, but God’s love isn’t one of them.”

  Still holding on to her hand, Chuck stood, then pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t know what happened between you and Jake, but something tells me your marriage didn’t end because you stopped loving him. God has amazing ways of untangling our troubles if we’re willing to let Him. He can redeem broken families.”

  Tears slid silently down Tori’s face as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. He murmured words over her, and she realized he was praying. For her. A sob shuddered in her chest, and Chuck tightened his grip.

  When was the last time anyone had prayed for her?

  Chuck reached over and grabbed Tori’s napkin out from under her plate. He handed it to her, then tipped up her chin. “God loves you. Remember that. Stop trying so hard to please other people, including my son. You have amazing gifts, and I’m grateful for the way you’re using them to help my family.”

  “Thank you, Chuck.” Tori wadded the soggy napkin in her fist, then lifted watery eyes to him. “I wish my dad had been more like you. I’m sorry to be so emotional. It’s my first Father’s Day without him, and even though we had a difficult relationship, he was...well, he was still my dad.”

  Chuck pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m sorry for your loss. My dad’s been gone over a decade, but a day doesn’t pass without me missing him. Something tells me we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, sweetheart. I’m just down the road, and I could always use another friend. Anytime you want to talk, I’m willing to listen.”

  Another father could have given her a cold shoulder for the way she treated his son.

  But not Chuck.

  No, he was a rare one who showed love without condition. Something she wasn’t used to having, but a gift she wouldn’t take for granted.

  But if things with Jake didn’t work out, she wouldn’t lose only the man she loved, but the fa
mily she wanted to claim as her own.

  * * *

  Jake glanced at his watch. Despite being benched from farming the past few weeks because of his bum hand, he still managed to finish milking in record time.

  And without anyone else’s help.

  Maybe he could talk to the doctor about releasing him early as long as he promised to take it easy.

  But was that a promise he’d be able to keep?

  No need to worry about that right now.

  He wanted to grab a quick shower and another cup of coffee and head into town to check on Annabeth.

  And Tori.

  Jake didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but overhearing his dad’s conversation with her last night made him realize just how different his childhood was from Tori’s. She hadn’t talked much about her father while they were married, and he hadn’t pried because it caused her pain. And the last thing he wanted was to hurt his wife.

  Wife.

  It seemed like forever ago instead of only six years.

  In the month she’d been in Shelby Lake, he caught glimpses of the Tori he’d fallen in love with, but she’d also changed. She wore a veil of vulnerability as fragile as an eggshell. She appeared strong, but he was afraid that after one too many cracks, she’d be broken beyond repair.

  He didn’t want to be the cause of that pain.

  But he wasn’t ready yet to jump in with both feet.

  He’d done that once and still bore the scars.

  Maybe it was time to let go of the hurt that kept him at a distance.

  The milk house door slammed behind him as he cut through the backyard for the farmhouse. Claudia’s cherry-red SUV was parked in the driveway.

  A little early for a visit.

  Hopefully everything was okay.

  Maybe something happened with Annabeth during the night.

  Or Tori...

  Jake picked up his pace, took the deck steps in one stride, toed off his boots and stepped into the kitchen. Finding it empty, he followed the sounds of low voices and a soft giggle. He reached the living room and—

  Whoa!

  He spun on his heel and retreated soundlessly for the back deck, where he thrust his feet back into his boots and hurried down the steps.

  His gut twisted. Despite the early morning rising temperature, a cold sweat slicked his skin. He cut across the grass and headed for the road.

  Dad and Claudia?

  Kissing?

  When did that happen? Why hadn’t Dad said anything? Why hide it?

  Questions thrummed inside his head as Jake walked past the pasture where cows grazed lazily in the morning sunshine and the even rows of ankle-high cornstalks studded the fields. Movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention away from his dad’s hidden romance to find he’d walked toward Tori’s house.

  “Jake.” Annabeth ran across the yard and barreled into his legs, wrapping her arms around his knees. She jerked back, pinched her nose and wrinkled her face. “Pee-eww. You stinky.”

  Jake laughed, reached down and swung her up into his arms. “Hey, little one. How are you feeling?”

  “My mouth hurted.” She opened her mouth and pointed to her upper jaw still red and swollen. “I broked a tooth.”

  “You sure did. Does it still hurt?”

  “Nuh-uh. Aunt Tori gaved me orange medicine.”

  He gave her a quick squeeze, then put her down. No sense in ruining her pink T-shirt and polka-dotted denim overalls with his barn smell. She ran across the yard to the porch, where she picked up Pickles, the tan bear Tucker had given her.

  Tori knelt in the front of the flower bed rimming the front and side of the porch. A flat of pink petunias, yellow and purple pansies, and some other blue flower he didn’t recognize sat next to her. “Good morning. What brings you down the road so early?” She pushed her sunglasses on her head and eyed his faded T-shirt and worn jeans, then scowled. “And why are you in barn clothes? The doctor hasn’t released you yet.”

  “Tucker got called in to cover a shift, remember? Dad can’t stand that long yet to milk, so I had to do it. I wore a glove to cover the stitches and used my hand as little as possible.”

  It was kind of nice having someone show concern for his well-being. “What are you guys doing up so early? After AB’s tumble last night, I figured she’d still be asleep.”

  Tori glanced at her niece digging in the dirt with a small pink shovel. “Hardly. Very little keeps her down. She was wide awake at six, so Aunt Claudia and I decided to check out a greenhouse plant sale. I found these annuals and decided to add some color to the flower beds. We have an appointment with a pediatric dentist in an hour—I’m concerned about the swelling around her gums.” Tori reached for one of the packs of flowers and pried a plant loose from the plastic tray. She set it in the hole and covered it with dirt, her ponytail falling in front of her as she leaned forward. “You haven’t answered my question.”

  “Which one?”

  “What are you doing down at this end of the road?” She turned and gestured toward the house. “We’re done painting. The roofers will be done by the end of the week. You’re no longer obligated to be here.” Tori sat back on her heels and brushed a gloved hand across her forehead, leaving a smudge of dirt on her skin.

  “I could leave if you’d like.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  Exhaling, Jake knelt beside her, scooped a handful of rich, dark dirt and sifted it through his fingers. Picking up the small potting trowel, he twirled it in his hand. Then he dug it into the dirt where she pointed. “I...uh...walked in on Dad...and Claudia...kissing.”

  His face warmed even saying it out loud. He still couldn’t believe it and couldn’t get the image out of his head.

  Tori’s head jerked up, and then a grin spread across her face. “Seriously? That’s awesome.”

  He shot her a look. “Yes, seriously, and why is that so awesome?”

  “Because they’ve lost people they’ve loved, people they expected to spend the rest of their lives with, and now they have a second chance. Besides, they’ve known each other forever, right?”

  “Seems like it. My parents grew up together. Childhood friends. High school sweethearts. Mom met Claudia her freshman year in college—they were roommates and became best friends. Dad met her through Mom. Then when Claudia married Dennis and moved to Shelby Lake to teach second grade, the four of them were inseparable. Claudia’s been like a second mom to us for as long as I can remember.”

  “Good friends falling in love. It’s perfect. They know each other’s flaws, and they’re still willing to risk their hearts.” Tori dug another hole in the flower bed, pulled out a flower and planted it, then looked at him a second before dropping her gaze to the dirt. “Is that possible for us, Jake? Becoming friends, I mean.”

  He appreciated the clarification, thankful she wasn’t asking for more. He was a long way from walking down the aisle. With anyone.

  “Let’s see how things go.” He scrubbed his dirty hands on the legs of his filthy jeans and pushed to his feet. He didn’t want to be a jerk, but he needed to be honest, even if it meant hurting her. “I gotta admit our divorce messed me up pretty bad.”

  “I’m sorry, Jake.” She rubbed at the dirt on her fingers, then looked up at him with large, sad eyes. “The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you.”

  “Hurt me? You wrecked me. If you want to be friends, then you’ve got to level with me. What did I do wrong?”

  Tori gathered the discarded flower trays and smashed them together. She looked at him, her eyes full of sadness. “Nothing. You were...perfect.”

  He flung his hands in the air, then dropped them to his sides. “Then I don’t get it, Tor.”

  Tori jumped to her feet and slapped the trays on the end of the porch. “If there was any other way, I would have taken i
t, but I did what I had to do to protect you. To protect your family.”

  “That’s the second time you’ve said that. How about some clarification? Protect me from what?”

  Tori’s phone chimed. She pulled it out of her back pocket and looked at the screen. She closed her eyes a second, then opened them and gave him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Jake. I am. I know you want answers, and I will tell you everything. I promise.” She held up her phone. “But Aunt C’s on her way to pick us up. I need to get Annabeth cleaned up before her appointment.”

  “Fine. But one of these days we’re going to talk.” Jake reached over and tipped her chin, catching her gaze. “With no interruptions. You owe me that much.”

  “Yes, I know.” She traced the edge of the flower bed with the toe of her leather sandal and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Listen, I’m not sure if you’ll want to or if AB will feel up to it, but I’m taking Olivia and Landon fishing after milking to give Tucker a chance to catch up on some sleep. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He hesitated a moment, then nodded. “Yes.”

  What was he doing? Was he a glutton for punishment? Or maybe he needed to have his head examined.

  From the moment he met Tori at the NCO club all those years ago, something drew him to her. Despite the pain, despite the ache she carved out in his chest, he couldn’t stay away.

  When he found out about Dad and Claudia, his first thought had been to talk to Tori. And now, even though he wanted to keep his distance, he couldn’t seem to escape the pull she had over him.

  And that’s what scared him. What if he allowed himself to fall for her again, only to end up with a heart that would be broken beyond repair?

  Chapter Seven

  What did this city girl know about fishing?

  Practically nothing.

  Other than going once or twice with Jake while they’d dated, her knowledge of the sport could fill a thimble.

  After their conversation, she was a little apprehensive about going, but Annabeth seemed excited, so she’d do her best not to look foolish in front of Jake.