A Splash of Hope (3 page)

“Really?” he asked skeptically. “I think it sounds like somebody’s grandpa.”

“No. Definitely not.”

They fell silent. Carter felt more secure and at ease than he had in years.

“My son is unhappy,” he blurted out, admitting for the first time the thing weighing heavily on his mind. He didn’t know if it was the darkness causing his confession or the woman snuggled into his side. Either way, having said it, he felt lighter. Serenity did that for him. She gave him this. It was as if they’d been friends for years. There wasn’t an ounce of awkwardness. They were simply meant to end up here together.

“About your name?” she asked, sounding confused by the sudden change in topic.

“No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. Holding you like this, in the dark, felt like confession time for some reason.” He paused, hoping she would chuckle, but she waited him out. With a heavy sigh, Carter gave in. “Adam’s unhappy in general with all things. He has no purpose or goal to drive him. I know he’s hoping to gain vice presidency of my company next month, when my current man retires. Unfortunately, I also know he doesn’t believe he should have to prove himself to get it. It should be his by birthright. I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it. It’s just that unless he wants to be worthy of such a respected position, then he’s not the best man for the job. Maybe I made a mistake by allowing him to work for me. Perhaps I should’ve forced him to find his own place in the world.” Carter spent a moment musing over his shortcomings before deciding the list was too long and waving it away. “Not that it matters now. I didn’t. Now, he’s a bit aimless and miserable. I don’t know if any of this is making sense. This is the first time I’ve tried putting into words what I’ve been brewing over these past few months.” He released a humorless chuckle. “Honestly, I’m not sure why I’m telling you all of this.”

Carter didn’t disclose the fact his son owned a somewhat shady side business that kept him from focusing his full attention on the Monroe Corporation. Not only did Adam think Carter didn’t know about the business, Serenity didn’t need to be exposed to that sort of thing. He also felt a bit like an ass for suddenly spouting out all of his problems. He didn’t have any excuse, other than it felt right to tell her his worries.

“Honestly, I should be telling you how gorgeous you are and begging you to let me touch you some more.” Now that Carter said the words, he really wanted to do that.

Serenity ignored his compliment. “It’s a hard thing to know your family is unhappy and know there’s nothing you can do to change it,” she said instead, proving she understood. “My sister, Faith, has spent so many years taking care of me that she stopped considering herself somewhere along the way. Now, it’s like she doesn’t remember how.” She paused and he felt her take a deep breath before continuing. “My other sister, Harmony, died because she was so unhappy in her marriage to Tristan Daniels she was always running away.”

“Tristan Daniels the
minister
?”

“Um-hmm,” she confirmed. “From what I understand, she found out he was cheating on her. She went out with my parents to blow off some steam, because—as I’m sure you know—they were the queen and king of having a good time. Of course, all of this happened long before he was ‘Brother’ Tristan.”

“Interesting,” Carter mused, storing the info away for another day. “You know my son had a huge crush on Faith at one time,” he said, purposefully changing the subject. “She was all he used to talk about back when she was still living here in town. I don’t believe I’ve heard him speak of another female since.”

Serenity chuckled. “Oh, the feeling was definitely mutual, but I guess neither one of my sisters ever dreamed of a normal happily-ever-after. They say hope springs eternal. I’m not sure that’s necessarily true. In my experience and with enough force, hope can indeed be annihilated.”

Carter mulled over her words, automatically seeking the gaps in her story. “What about you? What of your happiness?” He felt her shrug.

“I could ask the same of you. You say Adam has no purpose, but what about you?” she asked, throwing his words back at him. “I hardly think your life has come to an end.”

Rising up onto his elbow, Carter thought over her question as he traced the lines of her ribcage with his fingertips. He’d spent several years working long hours while trying to build an empire that would stand for generations. Leaving a legacy for his son to leave to his own children and so on, was a huge dream of his. Now, he’d surpassed every goal he’d set for himself. It gave him time to realize he wanted more for himself on a personal level. Adam had been born when Carter was only sixteen. Carter had done the best he could, starting with nothing, to provide a good life for him.

For years, he worked every extra hour he could to send child support. When Adam’s mother, Sophie, had died, and Adam came to live under his roof, he’d been in a position to provide more for his son in a material sense. Unfortunately, even though Adam had been well-behaved for a twelve year old boy who was pissed off at the world, Carter sometimes wondered if he’d failed his son in an emotional way. Perhaps, the lack of a female influence during those pivotal years had shaped Adam into the hardened man he’d become. At the time, Carter hadn’t noticed anything lacking. Now, he recognized there was a certain amount of warmth missing from his life. There was a particular person absent. One he’d secretly coveted while jogging each day.

Watching Serenity now, he found there was enough moonlight creeping into the room to make her eyes glimmer in the dark. Leaning in, he touched his lips lightly to the corner of her mouth. He lingered there until she turned her head, capturing his kiss. Yes, he thought, he did have a purpose. She just didn’t know it yet.

Chapter Five

Faith: Present day

It took Faith a total of two minutes to realize she didn’t know where she was going. She had no idea where Adam lived and the Monroe corporate offices were closed on Saturday. Not to mention, since it was his wedding day, Adam probably wouldn’t have gone there anyhow. Since Serenity didn’t have any friends Faith could call, and she had no clue where Serenity was living now, Faith needed to find Adam. At least, there were people she could talk to who would know where to find him. She headed back toward the church, hoping to catch a straggler from the wedding. Unfortunately, the Church of Holy Light’s parking lot was empty of all cars with the exception of Tristan’s. Feeling defeated, Faith pulled in, parking next to the older model Dodge Ram, and hoping against hope Tristan would be willing to help. The Church of Holy Light was one of the largest churches in the area. Tristan Daniels was one of the most popular ministers ever to serve the congregation there. He was also the last person on Earth Faith wanted to speak to. Halfway to the door, she almost turned around. She could check the local bars. If she’d been dumped at the altar, it’s where she’d go. With a sigh, she started moving again. Adam wouldn’t be as weak as she’d proven to be.

Faith tried the huge double doors used during church services first. They were both locked. Circling the building in search of a different door, she found what she was looking for near the rear of the church. She sighed in relief when the knob turned easily beneath her hand. A cold blast of air hit her in the face as it swung wide, giving some relief to the unrelenting heat of the day. A long, white hallway stretched out before her. She realized this was where the church’s offices were located. Briefly, she wondered if lightning would strike her dead when she walked in. For a moment, she actually braced herself against the impact of it as her feet crossed the threshold. When no trumpets sounded and the sky remained clear, she released the breath she hadn’t known she was holding. Mentally, she knew she was being ridiculous. After all, she’d been inside the church once already that day. However, she’d been distracted then. The Hope family, in general, were not a religious lot. On a more personal level, Faith hadn’t been on speaking terms with God in years. She’d stopped talking to him the day he’d left her holding the bag.

Several doors stood open down the hall, and Faith glanced quickly into each one as she came to it, until she spotted Tristan sitting behind a large wooden desk. Several papers were spread out in front of him. A Bible sat open at his elbow. Considering he was staring at the corner of the room, unblinking, Faith didn’t imagine he was seeing any of it. She was also sure he hadn’t noticed her arrival. Faith spent a moment watching him. He was a handsome man, as he’d always been. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he was every girl’s dream back in high school. They’d openly sighed over him, but he’d only had eyes for Harmony, leaving all others green with envy. Faith was positive his sweet smile, complete with dimples, had led more than one sinning soul into redemption. Those souls didn’t mean a damn thing to Faith. She still wanted to get the knife out of her purse and cut the bastard. How dare he fuck around on her sister, and then come to church on Sunday to preach about adultery? She heard someone growl. When Tristan’s head snapped around in her direction, Faith realized the sound had come from her.

“Faith.” Surprise sounded heavily in his voice. Well. That made two of them. “How can I help you?”

She glanced down at her purse, and then back up at him. Her grip tightened on the straps. By force of will alone, she managed to unclench her fingers. She looped the bag over her shoulder in an attempt at staving off temptation.

“I’m looking for Adam.”

“He left earlier, along with everyone else. Are you sure there isn’t something else I could help you with?”

Faith ground her teeth, giving Tristan a somewhat feral smile. “If you could give me Adam’s home address, I’ll be on my way.”

“I know this has to be a stressful time for you. Some people find great comfort in prayer in moments such as these. I’d be more than happy to say a few words with you now.”

Was he serious? Faith snorted. “
Brother
Daniels,” she said, making sure her tone was as mocking as possible. “You may have this entire town fooled, but not me.
Never
me.”

He held her gaze steadily in spite of the fact she was practically dripping with malice. “I was never unfaithful to Harmony,” he told her quietly.

“Hmm,” she said noncommittally, without bothering to hide her skepticism. “Well, about that address for Adam?” Tristan blew out a heartfelt sigh but he tore off a small scrap of paper before jotting down an address and handing it over.

“Thank you,” Faith said, attempting but failing to keep some of the bitterness out of her voice since he was giving her what she wanted. She scanned the paper before stuffing it in her bag.

“You know, God has a pl—”

Faith slammed her palm down on Tristan’s desk, cutting off his words, and causing him to jump.

“With God as my witness, if you try to tell me he has a plan for me, then I will retract my promise to myself that I would make it through this conversation without cutting off your manly bits.” Faith ground out each word through clenched teeth.

Tristan’s skin visibly flushed as he stood. Leaning both palms on the desk, he went nose to nose with her, showing some of the backbone she used to admire. “I loved your sister. You may choose to remember her as you please, but she wasn’t perfect. She didn’t make it easy for me to love her as much as I do.”

Not did, but do. Faith didn’t miss the distinction. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, attempting to swallow down years of bitterness.

“I was wrong,” he said, causing her eyes to snap open. He was staring at her steadily. The sadness in his eyes held her tongue. “I watched as Harmony turned from the hometown girl I’d fallen in love with into this person I didn’t know any longer. She drank, partied, and stayed out for days at a time. I picked fights with her. I wanted her angry. Most of all, I wanted her to fight for our marriage, but I never once cheated on her.” Tristan snorted out a laugh. There was no humor in the sound. “In the end, the joke was truly on me. I don’t know why I’m bothering to defend myself now. It doesn’t change a thing.” She could hear the exhaustion in his voice as he reclaimed his seat.

Faith swallowed past the lump growing in her throat. Her sister had done all of the things Tristan claimed. It didn’t matter. Harmony was still her sister and some things weren’t easily forgotten or forgiven.

“There was nothing I could do to save her,” Faith conceded. “But I can do my best for Serenity, so thanks again for the address.” On that depressing note, she all but ran from his office before he could attempt to continue their painful discussion. Faith had left this town, and its inhabitants, behind long ago. She had no intention of rejoining their ranks now.

Chapter Six

Serenity: Five months earlier

A month passed. Thirty days spent with Carter where she fell asleep each night in his arms. Every day he looked a little more relaxed, and Serenity was happier than she’d ever been in her life. She would be devastated when he grew tired of her, and he would. In this, she had no illusions. There wasn’t anything she could offer a man like him. Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes, forcing Serenity to look away before Carter spotted them. She pretended an interest in the small restaurant’s décor. Serenity had made it a point never to eat here since it seemed to have a bit of a romantic ambiance to it. The room was low lit and flowers, along with candles, were placed on each table. There were several other couples scattered throughout the room. Each one snuggled closely together the same as she and Carter were. Pride ran through her as she realized there wasn’t a single man there who was a match for him. Carter was by far the sexiest one in attendance.