Outside The Lines (Love Beyond Reason Book 2) (13 page)

He’d done as his mother asked and come home… She rubbed the date in the corner of the letter. Two thousand and seven. More than eight years ago. He’d also continued to take the mentioned yearly trips. She had Colleen to thank for him showing up in her town.

Maria tapped the envelope against her lip and wondered if he knew how much he’d gained from his absent mother’s words. And there was a whole box here. She dug to the bottom. All the way back to the year she left.

Colleen obviously loved her son. How could she leave?

Stretching, she placed a hand on her abdomen.

It seemed unthinkable. But then, there was the man who’d handed her a check so she would walk away from his son. And somehow, she knew there was more to the story.

No wonder David refused to admit he loved her. He was scared, to love…to be left again.

“Dios,” she whispered. “Stop reading
metida
. You are too nosy for your own good.”

And she wanted to trust him.

Carefully, she placed the envelope back in the desk drawer. The unexpected glimpse into his life wrenched her heart, made her love him even more. The warm, funny guy she’d met in California was in there—somewhere, and she wanted to find him.

She had a feeling
that
David only came out once in a great while.

***

On her way downstairs after a quick shower and change, the front door chimes sounded, and Maria veered off course to answer. She pulled the massive door open, laughing at the absurdity of it. The place was old, no doubt, and the door was its greatest tell.

She grinned at the image that ran through her head of princesses and castles.

And found Colleen, grinning back. “Well, that’s a wonderful welcome. And so unexpected at this particular residence.”

“Hello,” Maria stepped aside. “I was just thinking about this ridiculously fabulous, impractical door.”

Colleen ran a hand down the wood then pushed it shut. “It’s a good door.”

There was an unexpected ache in her voice.

“You have fond memories still.”

“Of course,” she answered, straightening her spine. “This place will always hold my favorite memories.”

They didn’t know each other well. So that left Maria shy of stepping on toes or making any mistakes, offending anyone, especially her husband. “Can I get you something to drink? Are you here to see Mrs. Kraus?”

Colleen hummed. “I thought I’d come say hello to you. See how you were doing.”

Maria nodded down the hallway. “I was just on my way to the kitchen. Come on. We’ll go together.”

“You look good.”

She shrugged. “I feel good. Had a bit of something in California. The flu. Really took me out of the game for a few days.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better.” She paused before they went into the kitchen. “How was it, being at home?”

With a smile, Maria thought about her time in Red Bluff. “It was…different. The time with my family felt more like a standoff half the time, and honestly? I was ready to leave. It was nice to have David there, while he was there. I’d forgotten about his easy-going side, and seeing it in action, seeing him with my family and friends—” She broke off. “I’m talking too much.”

“No, it’s nice.” Colleen headed to the fridge and pulled out two water bottles, handing one to Maria. “I don’t get to hear the little things very often. The only time the March men will talk to me is if there is a to-do of some sort.” She blew out a breath. “Well, maybe I deserve that. I didn’t fight for my right to be here, all those years ago.”

“I’m sure David appreciates your efforts now.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“I think it’s true.” Maria frowned. “He’s just working through a lot of stuff right now. The baby—”

Colleen smiled at that.

“Work.”

“Work. Yes, there is something always going on at work. Greg and I had some long, painful years over the bank. But the March men are determined, if nothing else. But, you know that, I guess.”

“Right,” Maria took another sip of the water and screwed the cap on. “Anyway, I can’t speak for him. But, I can speak for myself. And I’m glad you’re here.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to this new phase in life. The grandbaby coming.” Colleen picked at the label on her bottle. “The possibility of reconnecting has never been a reality before now. I feel like I owe that to you.”

“Wow. That’s a lot of pressure.”

“Maybe, but it’s the truth. I hope he can make you very happy, Maria.” She set the bottle firmly on the counter and looked Maria in the eye. “Please, give him some leeway, give him a break if he needs a break. Don’t judge him too harshly. He’s had a tough time with family. No good examples.”

There was guilt between the lines, but it was that mother-bear defense that tweaked Maria’s heart. Colleen worried about her son. Of course she did. Because she wasn’t a cruel, heartless bitch.

Oh, to hear the real story.

“I would never intentionally hurt your son, Colleen.” And it was funny, because David with his isolated existence had two parents who went to bat for him. They both loved him and wanted what was best for him, in their own way.

She liked Colleen’s way better than Greg’s.

“Would you like to go to town with me? I have a few things to get at the grocery store and need to stop at the bank. I might even—possibly—do some window shopping.”

Surprise broke on her mother-in-law’s face. “Sure. That would be great.”

“Okay.” Relief filled Maria. She didn’t know why she’d invited Colleen. It just happened, but it felt right. And they were…related now. They were family. “You want to know the truth?”

“Sure.”

“I need to get out for a bit.”

“Perfectly understandable.” Colleen concurred. “You know, if you ever need anything, you can always call me. If you’re worried about the baby or have a question, I’m always here for you…and my son’s baby.”

Maria grabbed her coat off the hook near the garage door, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and turned. “Thank you. I appreciate it. And I will need a doctor, eventually. Right now? I’m enjoying the freedom of not having my family hovering around, taking care of me.” She added air quotes for good measure.

“Point taken. You can take care of yourself,” Colleen answered with a nod as she slipped a slim pair of gloves over her long fingers.

Mrs. Kraus hurried through the kitchen, calling to them. “I’ve got a short list for dinner tonight. Would you mind picking a few things up?”

“Not at all.” Maria took the list Mrs. Kraus waved in her direction.

“Drive safely, dear.” Mrs. Kraus gasped when a timer went off behind her. “The cake!” And she ran, leaving Maria at the door to the breezeway and garage.

David had left the keys for the Mercedes GL, because they’d taken her rental back to the airport when they left for California. She had to admit, this was more fun to drive than that little Ford Escort. It had all the luxuries. Like hell if she’d feel guilty about using his vehicle or driving a car so out of her budget, it made her feel like a poser.

With February in full-swing, all the blue wreaths had been replaced by red, heart-shaped wreaths. The garland strung through town was a glittering red and pink. It was pretty, quaint, and welcoming.

She pulled into town and parked in the bank parking lot. “Well, here we are. Do you want to meet somewhere? I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Why don’t you give me the grocery list? I can do that while you do this, and then we’ll meet at Henry’s for coffee before we move on to the shopping part.”

“Perfect,” Maria added with a smile. “Thanks…you know, for coming.”

Funny. Almost two weeks since she’d come through town the first time and noticed the bank, noticed David’s name on the sign out front.

She opened the door and found luxury. Holy moly. Marble everywhere, dark wood on the walls and large paintings, but they were paintings of town, of the parks…and what looked like a river with tall trees along the bank. Local artists?

Tellers lined the wall to the right. Two offices sat off to the left and a double door sat straight ahead with a plaque on the wall next to it that read, Gregory T. March III.

She kept her head down and went to the front desk.

“How can I help you, ma’am?” A pretty brunette, a little on the heavy side, asked as she looked up from her seat behind the tall counter.

“I need to open an account, please.”

“Well, that’s wonderful. If you’d like to have a seat, Lola is with another client.”

Maria looked over at the woman behind a desk who was typing as she spoke to an older man. She nodded. “Thanks.”

She took a plush seat in the waiting area and pulled out her wallet as she waited. The man who’d been with Lola ambled over then stopped in front of her. Her gaze rose to his face, and she smiled. “Hi,” she started, wondering what had drawn him over.

And then he sat. “You new in town?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Welcome to Lynnbrook.” He held out a hand, and she shook it. “Tanner,” he said.

His hand was warm, almost soft, yet still held the rough edge of a man who’d worked his whole life. He had the quintessential look of a mountain man, full white beard—trim and neat—slim hips inside worn jeans, and a red flannel shirt.

His wrinkles brought to mind her abuela’s soft skin. Though she’d died when Maria was ten, the memory of her loving touch lingered.

“Nice to meet you, Tanner. I’m Maria.”

Lola made her move then, coming over to get her next client, and Tanner stood. “Lola will take good care of you.”

“Of course I will,” the lady acted insulted, but gave the old man a smile, and there was a twinkle in her eye. “Come on this way, ma’am. And we’ll get you all set up.”

Tanner didn’t immediately leave though. He walked toward Greg’s office and knocked on the door before disappearing behind it. Maria frowned then followed Lola to her desk to set up an account. She moved most of her savings into another savings account at the March Bank and then set up a checking account and put the last thousand in there. All under her new name, Maria March.

She prided herself on all she’d saved over the last six years. Unmarried, living at home, she could take care of herself for a good while without having to go back to work.

She’d thought long and hard about how they would work their financial situation. The bottom line was glaringly obvious. She could take care of herself. That was the most important part of this deal. Keeping that thought front and center made the ache of not having an emotional connection to the man she was married to seem feasible—for lack of a better word. She sighed.

“I’m going to need a few hundred in cash.”

Lola pulled a withdrawal slip off her pile of papers in the organizer to her right and filled in the little squares. Then she got up and walked away, following the dark marble flooring to the tellers on the opposite side of the bank.

Maria blocked the flutter of nerves.

David hinted, no, more than hinted, he insisted on taking care of her, on being financially responsible. But she didn’t want him throwing money at her, making her a kept woman. She’d go back to work eventually, when the baby was a little older.

This was the better way, as far as she was concerned, for keeping themselves at arm’s length from each other. That was his want. Her new life wasn’t exactly what she’d planned all those years ago as a starry-eyed, young woman who dreamed of weddings and marital bliss. Maria shook off the unease and stood when she saw Lola coming her way.

Mr. March exited his office as well, and wasn’t this nice? An unwanted reunion. Tanner walked by, waved as he left, and sent her a friendly wink. Why couldn’t Mr. March be as friendly as everyone else in this town?

“There you go, ma’am.”

“Thank you so much. It’s a relief to have that taken care of. By the way, do you happen to know if there’s a thrift store or consignment shop in town?”

“Oh my, yes.” Lola walked with her toward the doors, which lead to Main Street. “Suzy Boon has this fabulous little shop on the next block over. You must stop in there and check it out, even if you don’t buy anything.”

“Thanks. I will.” She didn’t give Mr. March a second look as she hugged her coat tightly against her and stepped outside. Clouds covered the sky again, and she wondered just how much snow they’d get this time. She was fascinated by it all. All her life, she’d been surrounded by the mild weather of her home in California. Hot summers, cool winters, an occasional and brief snow fall.

This was different.

And it was exciting, too.

A horn honked from the street, and she quickly looked up, waving when Tanner passed by in an old Chevy pick-up, heading north.

She was quickly falling in love with Lynnbrook. That’s all there was to it.

“Over here, Maria!” Colleen waved her over to the little salon down the street from Henry’s. Maria looked both ways and crossed the street.

“Ladies, I’d like you to meet Maria. David’s wife.”