From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone (32 page)

Chapter Nineteen

She always loved Richard’s truck and nestled in the soft leather seats while the whisper of jazz hummed from the CD player. Richard has stashed her overnight bag behind his seat. He convinced her only to pack essentials. With his sunglasses hiding his eyes, she was unable to read him through his stony silence. He had a way of blanking out what he was thinking. He’d always been a mystery, one of the many things attracting her to him.

Richard cleared his throat before pulling into the parking lot of an oceanside restaurant specializing in chowder. “Humor me, Maggie. I’m hungry, and you need to eat.”

She shook her head and gazed out her window. This was so like him, deciding everything all the time. “This needs to stop, Richard. I have a mind of my own. I realize over the last little bit I was in trouble, and you helped. But you can’t make decisions for me.”

“Please Maggie, it’s just lunch.”

Maggie wanted to bang her head against the glass to knock some sense into herself because, against her better judgment, she opened her door and stepped down. She needed space and distance from Richard. She hid for so long behind a chemical haze that numbed everything so she didn’t have to face up or deal with anything.

Richard stopped in front of his truck, and took off his shades, tucking them in his front coat pocket.

Maggie hesitated a minute. “Just lunch, and then you promise to take me to a hotel?”

“Lunch and hear me out, and then I promise, if you still want to go, I’ll take you to a hotel for tonight.” She wanted to reach up and touch the faint lines on his face that made him so damn good looking. He must have seen it because something softened in his rock solid features. Vulnerability? Maybe.

“Fair enough.” She walked ahead of Richard, but he was so close, in her personal space, she could feel his heat. There was a time when this was all she wanted.

She chose a seat away from other customers at a small window table for two. A skinny young waitress brought them menus and promised to return in a moment to take their order. She stared at the menu, determined to stand her ground with Richard because she knew all too well his powers of persuasion. They didn’t speak. The waitress returned, took their orders and menus and promptly returned with coffee for her and a beer for Richard. She tapped her fingers on the table, gazed at the ocean and then lifted her cup and sipped.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

She set her cup down. “Ah Richard, look I told you--”

He reached out and touched her hand, the one resting on the table.

“Maggie please, just hear me out.” His voice softened as he squeezed her hand tenderly. “Please.”

Maggie finally looked up at him, and what she saw melted a bit of her resolve.

“I’m trying to protect you. I feel like I let you down. Because I never knew you got hooked on some pills, and after that last week watching you through that sick and hurt, getting that crap out of you, I swore I wouldn’t turn my back on you again. I love you, Maggie.” He pulled her hand closer and linked his fingers with hers.

“I love you, too. But this isn’t why I’m leaving, and you know it.” She pulled her hand away.

“We’re barely holding it together to create a sense of balance for Ryley. What do you think this will do to him? You taking off? You may have an issue with me and my need to protect you, but you mark my words. You scared the hell out of Ryley. He knew you were taking pills. He told me he found them in the bathroom. We talked about it last night. I told him you were off them and home for good. His heart was broken from what happened to Lily and then being ripped away from his home. His family torn apart. If you leave, you’re not taking Ryley. I won’t let you, and he won’t go with you now. You two are on shaky ground. Your focus needs to be repairing the relationship with Ryley. You two used to be close; he was a mama’s boy. But you terrified him. He couldn’t reach you.” Richard tapped his index finger on his head. “Did you know during one of his night terrors, he tried to wake you when you were living in that God awful rental in town? He couldn’t. And I have no idea how long ago it was. He never told me. Not until last night.”

She shut her eyes and squeezed her fists. This was not what she wanted to hear.

“Maggie, open your eyes. I’m not saying this to hurt you. You need to understand what Ryley saw. You just did things. He’d ask you something, and you wouldn’t respond. How many times did you forget to pick him up at school so he walked home? Do you understand what I’m saying? Your anger at me is going to hurt Ryley.”

She shivered as if ice water flowed through her veins. Her determination to stand up to Richard evaporated. Because he was right. She’d not begun to repair the bond with Ryley, and leaving wasn’t the answer—even for one night.

“I need to think Richard… alone, without you around.”

The waitress delivered their sandwiches, and they ate in silence. After a few bites, she pushed her plate away. “I need to take a walk on the beach. Can you let me be for a bit?”

“I’ll wait for you.”

She slid out her chair and started to leave. But stopped and looked down at him, and when he reached for her hand, it felt different, more caring instead of his usual possessive manner.

“Maggie, I didn’t say this about Ryley to confuse or trick you. I don’t want to involve you in my crap, and I’m asking you to let me handle it. Ryley and you are the most important things in my life. He needs us both. I’m asking you to stop running and help me… focus on Ryley. He’s not okay, and I think you know that. Don’t make me go home without you, not again. Don’t do that to Ryley.”

She pulled her hand away, and slipped out the door.

She wandered the gravel beach in front of the restaurant and gazed out over the waves rippling and splashing against the shoreline. The tide had changed and was higher today. She shoved her hands in her wool coat pockets as the wind whipped her dark hair all around. Richard was hiding something. But to force her point and leave would hurt Ryley. He needed his mother. She’d only made baby steps in reconnecting with him. Damn Richard, he was right. But she still needed to know what shady scheme Dan dragged Richard into this time. She turned away from shore, picked her way cautiously over the big rocks, and paused when she spied Richard standing on the bank watching her.

Richard popped on his shades as she climbed back up the narrow path, and held out his hand as she stepped up beside him on the grassy hillside. “What have you decided?”

“Let’s go get Ryley.”

Richard smiled and appeared to relax as he let out a heavy sigh. But that wasn’t all Maggie had decided. After they were home, she was going to make some calls and find out what mess Richard had gotten himself into.

Chapter Twenty

Diane tossed a ball for Daisy across the grass. Daisy raced for the ball, picked it up in her mouth, sauntered back tail wagging, and dropped it at Diane’s feet. Richard parked the truck beside Diane’s SUV, and glanced at Maggie, before hopping out. “Diane, what are you doing here?”

Diane raised the brim of her dark ball cap and lifted her sunglasses peering first at Richard and then Maggie.

“I called Diane.”

Daisy barked and yipped with her tail wagging and trotted toward Maggie, bumping her leg and hand, demanding her attention.

She bent down and scratched behind her ears, smoothing her hand over her thick coat and hugged her around her neck as she covered her face with doggie kisses. She didn’t realize how much she missed her dog. “Thanks for bringing Daisy back.”

Ryley had been so quiet in the back of the truck she never heard him approach. But Daisy did. She pushed past Maggie, making a beeline straight for Ryley, greeting him as if he was long lost kin. And when Ryley bent down to the dog, something in his face lightened.

“Ryley, can you grab Daisy’s dry food from Diane’s car and take it inside, and while you’re there, fill a bowl of water.” Ryley didn’t move. He looked to his dad as if he needed his okay. The air twisted inside her stomach as a cloud of defeat threatened to close in. She felt helpless, so she glanced away, struggling to hold it together.

“Ryley, your mom asked you do something, and I don’t see you moving.” She turned back at the sharpness in Richard’s tone.

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted the dog, Dad. I know you don’t like the mess.”

“Daisy’s my dog Ryley, and she’s staying. Your dad understands that. Don’t you, Richard?” He looked away with just a hint of a smile flickering at the corner of his mouth.

“The dog stays. Ryley, now go do what your mom asked.”

Diane opened the back door of her blue SUV. She lugged out the bag of dry dog food and placed the bundle in Ryley’s arms. “Can you handle the bag or do you want me to take it in for you?”

“Naww, I got it. Come on, Daisy.” The dog appeared unsure when she focused on Maggie as if to ask,
Another new home?

Ryley called her again, but Daisy waited for Maggie’s okay. “Go on Daisy, go with Ryley.” The dog hesitated for a moment until she clapped her hands, and then Daisy limped up the steps following Ryley inside.

“So we have a dog now? Diane, are you sure you can’t keep the dog?”

“She’s my dog, Richard, and she stays with me. Get used to it.” She was still irritated Ryley wouldn’t listen and required Richard’s intervention.

Diane crossed her arms and leaned against her SUV. She remained quiet as she appeared to study both of them. “What’s going on, Maggie? Your message sounded urgent when you called earlier. I phoned, but there was no answer.”

Richard glared at Maggie. “When did you phone Diane?”

“When you were talking to the two deputies.”

Richard pressed his lips together so hard they formed a thin white line and the way he shook his head, Maggie knew he was irritated.

Diane slid off her dark glasses and squinted at Richard. “What’s going on, Richard?” And she asked in a way that was all cop.

He held up his hands. The alpha he-man refused to be cornered. “Nothing for you to get involved in, Diane.” It was amazing to watch him lock up the stony wall around him.

“Richard, tell Diane the truth.” Maggie didn’t give him a chance to reply. She stepped forward, closer to Diane. “
Dan
called yesterday. Then I found a truck registration in Dan’s name signed over to Richard. Then two deputies showed up this morning about this very same truck being reported stolen by Dan from Seattle--yet, somehow, it was discovered at the bottom of Buckhorn Lake. They sent divers down and they said it’s the same truck. And Richard also said we are not divorced. But the divorce was already done up, just waiting to go before a judge… before we met in his lawyer’s office to finalize details, even though I don’t remember. And then he took it upon himself to move my things from my house and give the key back to my landlord. How can he do that?” Her breathing had escalated to heavy pants during her rant. She closed her eyes for a minute to slow her breathing. Had she made any sense? When she opened her eyes, she brushed her hair back from her forehead and realized both Richard and Diane were staring at her as if she’d lost her mind.

Diane shook her head and studied the ground as if trying to figure out what to say. When she looked up at Maggie, she opened her mouth to speak and paused. She turned to Richard, “I didn’t realize Dan was back in town. When did he get back, Richard?”

“A few weeks ago.”

Diane nodded. Her arms remained crossed as she continued to lean against her SUV.

She stared at Diane and then at Richard. Whatever passed between them, Maggie was dying to be let in.

Diane relaxed her arms and stepped away from her vehicle as if nothing unusual had happened. “Maggie, how about a cup of tea, and some girl talk?”

“What? That’s it, just tea? Diane, aren’t you going to question Richard about what he’s doing with Dan?” She jabbed her entire hand at Richard in disbelief. What was Diane doing?

“No, I’m not. I’m more concerned about you, and I’d like a cup of tea.” Diane put her arm around Maggie’s shoulder, and directed her inside.

Maggie hesitated and glanced over her shoulder at Richard. His face held not a flicker of emotion. A master with secrets.

Maggie yanked open the screen door, Diane on her heels, and an unsettled Daisy hurrying to her side before turning to paw at Diane.

“Is Dad still outside?” Ryley slumped in a kitchen chair.

Before Maggie could answer, Ryley jumped up and fidgeted as if he’d been caught doing something wrong.

Diane squeezed Maggie’s shoulders and spoke up. “Hey champ, why don’t you go hang out with your dad? I’m going to have some tea with your mom and catch up.” Diane ruffled his hair as he darted out the door, snatching the coat he’d dropped on the floor and looking a lot like a boy given a reprieve.

“He’s scared of me.”

“Who?” Diane set her shades on the counter.

“Ryley. Didn’t you see how nervous he was? He can’t stand to be in the same room with me.”

“Maggie, you need to give it time. You’re just starting to rebuild your family. And you have to know you weren’t there for him when he needed you.”

Maggie lowered herself in the chair Ryley abandoned. “Richard said the same thing.”

“I didn’t say it to hurt you. You’ve overcome some major hurdles. And lived through ugliness no one should have to. Right now, this is about all of you. You know you checked out on Ryley, and he knows it. And you need to give Richard some credit. He pulled it together and saw what was happening to his kid. I tried to tell you Maggie, but you wouldn’t hear me. Richard did.” Diane rummaged the cupboards as if she owned the kitchen. “Give it time. You all need to ease up on each other. Why don’t you start by giving yourself some credit for what you have done? You moved back home and got off those damn pills.”

Diane lit the burner and set the kettle on the flame. She then sat in the chair across from Maggie. She reached across the table and squeezed Maggie’s clasped hands. “Six months ago, I read the riot act to Richard. He was in the same place you were. But he opened his eyes and sobered up to be the support Ryley needed. And don’t forget, Maggie—Richard’s the one who came through for you, too. So why are you still harping on this divorce?”

“Well, it’s because I don’t know what happened at his lawyer’s office. Richard said he told them we reconciled. I haven’t heard from my lawyer, and I don’t understand how he can dismiss my motion for divorce just like that, as if--”

Diane waved her flattened authoritative hand in front of Maggie’s face. “Stop right there. You were whacked out on prescription meds, and I applaud Richard for having the foresight for whatever he did. He stepped up to the plate Maggie, and he was there for you, and he loves you. And I know you still love him. Look me in the eye right now, Maggie, and tell me you don’t.”

Maggie crossed her arms and sat up straight. “You don’t understand, Diane. He’s deciding everything for me.”

Diane leaned her head back and laughed. “He’s always been like such a frickin’ strong alpha and it’s nothing new, honey. And let’s be honest, you needed someone to decide and step in.”

When Maggie tried to rebut, Diane waved her hand in her face again. “Don’t interrupt. Look, why don’t you call your lawyer right now and find out exactly what’s going on? And if in fact your divorce is still on the table, you need to decide what you want, Maggie. Do you want to divorce Richard? Cause I can tell you right now, if you go ahead with it, Ryley will never forgive you.”

She’d been so focused on Richard’s high-handed behavior, she didn’t stop to look at the bigger picture. “I don’t know what I want.”

“Well that’s honest at least. Call your lawyer now and find out where things stand.”

“Do you think he’s still there? It’s after 4:00.”

“Only one way to find out. Dial the phone, Maggie.”

Maggie rose on shaky legs and strode to the phone on the kitchen counter. She hesitated a second. She didn’t know why. She let out a heavy sigh and dialed.

“Peter Sullivan’s office, Marissa speaking.”

“Hi Marissa, it’s Maggie McCafferty. Is Peter in?”

There a short pause on the other end. “Hold on, I’ll check and see if he’s still here.”

The local radio station filled the dead air as Maggie waited. She kept her back to Diane and watched Richard through the kitchen window as he walked toward the large shed with his arm around Ryley. The bond between father and son flowed. What kind of person would come between that?

“Maggie, how are you?” Her lawyer’s deep voice sounded hesitant.

“I’m good. Listen I wanted to find out what’s going on with the divorce, I mean after that meeting--”

He cut her off before she could finish. “Maggie, that meeting was over two weeks ago, and you fell asleep. You don’t remember any of it, do you? Did you take something?”

She winced at his candor. “Umm, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t remember the meeting. I did something stupid. I accidentally took a sleeping pill right before I met with you.”

“How do you accidentally take a sleeping pill?”

“I mixed it up with one I take for my anxiety.” She could feel her face heat up knowing Diane could hear everything.

“Ahh, I see. Are you still taking them?”

“No, Richard helped me get off them.”

“Hmm. Well.” Sullivan took a breath. “I’m glad for that. Are you back with Richard?”

“I’m staying back at his place; I mean, on the acreage.” She winced. Why did she keep saying that?

“Have you resumed marital relations?”

Her spine stiffened. “How’s it your business if we’ve slept together?”

He chuckled on the other end. “Maggie. Richard announced you reconciled while you were asleep. The laws are clear. In order to file for divorce, you are required to remain separated for a period of one year—with no relations. And since you are now back home living together, you can’t apply for divorce again until you separate for one year.”

“But Richard moved all my things out of my house in town and cancelled my lease and--”

“What is it you’re trying to accomplish Maggie? Do you want a divorce? Really? I’m an honest lawyer, and I believe if you remain honest and do the right thing, you’ll reap the benefits. You could go and hire any other lawyer out there, and they’ll gladly take your money and file your divorce, and don’t care whose lives they rip apart. You two suffered a horrible loss—add to that your drug addiction, which by the way, I do know about—I’ve seen it before, Maggie. It sounds to me Richard’s trying to look after you, and the advice I’m going to give you right now is to take a step back and evaluate what you really want. What will make you happy, and what about your son? If being single is what you really want, call me, but I warn you. You’ll have to start all over again. Take some honest time, which means not a couple days but a few months. Get some help, therapy and honestly look at your life. You’re angry. And as a family lawyer, I’ve seen the ugliness in divorce battles. Don’t go that route unless this is truly what you want. And ask yourself one more question, do you still love Richard?”

“Okay, thanks Peter.”

Maggie hung up the phone and then turned slowly around. Diane leaned back in her chair and stuck her booted feet out in front of her. “Well, where do you stand, Maggie?”

“Back at square one.”