Route 66 Reunions (39 page)

She’d lost him. Sobs shook her shoulders, and tears streamed from her eyes as she went back inside and sat on the sofa where he had been only moments before. She held the offending ring box in her hand and fell over against the sofa releasing a flood of tears against a pain so intense she felt as if she might die. After a few moments, the deep pain lost its edge, and the sobs stopped shaking her body. She’d survived the first time he walked away and she would again. Still, tears seeped from her eyes, and her heart ached as if a giant hand held it in an iron grip. This time she couldn’t fall back on hate to ease the pain, because she didn’t hate Kevin. She loved him, and she always would.

A quick knock sounded at her door before it opened and Harold stepped in. “Sarah, where are you?”

She sniffled and swiped a sleeve across her eyes.

He appeared at the door, took in her disheveled appearance, and crossed the room to sit beside her and hold her wrist in his fingers. “What did he do to you? Where are you hurt?”

She pulled away from him. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. What happened here?” Harold touched her forehead then grasped her shoulders and slid his hands down her arms, looking from one to the other.

She jumped up and stepped out of his reach. “Will you stop examining me? I’m not hurt physically. I just—”

Lost the man I love
.

“I got my feelings hurt. That’s all.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“Why don’t we go get something to eat?” Harold stood and reached for her hand.

She pulled away before he could touch her. “I’m not hungry. I’d like to spend some time alone. I have things I need to do here.”

The jeweler’s box lay on the floor where it had fallen. She bent to pick it up and handed it to Harold. “I shouldn’t keep this any longer.”

He set it on the coffee table. “You’re upset right now. Wait until tomorrow and you’ll feel better. Am I still taking you to the open house Thursday for Marilee’s Home?”

She hugged her arms, trying to bring warmth and feeling back into her body while she forced a smile for Harold’s benefit. “Of course, I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather go with.”

That brought a smile to his face and guilt to her heart. She didn’t want to encourage him. She didn’t want to hurt him, because she knew how that felt. She moved toward the door, hoping he would take the hint.

He soon left with promises to return Thursday evening and to check on her tomorrow at work. She watched him drive away and breathed a sigh of relief. Until she turned and saw the ring box on the table.

At Marilee’s Home, Sarah stood in the parlor between Darlene and Harold, watching the girls escort other board members and benefactors through their new home. Their eyes sparkled above wide smiles as they explained how the house had come to be theirs. Seven girls. Already they had an addition, and thanks to Kevin, they had room for more. They’d all worked hard selecting used furniture and arranging each room. There’d been little repair or finishing work required on the house itself, so most of their efforts had gone to cleaning and furnishing. Kevin couldn’t have given her a better gift.

As if her thoughts brought him to life, the door opened, and he stepped into the front hall. From her position, she watched him speak to the girl who’d let him in. He looked past her to small groups of two or three, then moved on as if searching for someone. He stopped and stared without expression as his eyes met Sarah’s. She broke the contact when Darlene spoke to and left with someone else. When she glanced back he was escorting a young woman into the parlor.

“Are you all right?” Harold’s low voice reminded her to breathe, although she hadn’t known she’d stopped.

“Of course.” Sarah spread her lips into what she hoped would pass for a smile.

The woman with Kevin was beautiful. Her dark hair, cut to touch her shoulders, moved as strands of silk with each toss of her head. She smiled easily, her blue eyes laughing and admiring Kevin in a familiar way that burned a hole through Sarah’s heart. Kevin’s possessive touch on the woman’s arm, as they moved across the room, hurt more than Sarah could have imagined.

“Good evening, Dr. Jenson. Sarah.” Kevin and his date stood in front of them. “The place looks good.”

“Thank you. We’ve all worked hard the last couple of weeks.” Sarah smiled at Harold. “Even Dr. Jenson got in on some heavy moving one night.”

“How nice.” Kevin let his gaze slide past Harold to Sarah while he spoke to the woman at his side. “Valerie, this is Sarah Maddox and Dr. Jenson. Sarah is chairman of the board for Marilee’s Home. She’s actively involved with the girls and the running of this outreach. Sarah, I’d like you to meet Valerie Parker. She’s a top-notch accountant and a good friend.”

He gave the young woman a teasing smile. “She’s also my boss’s daughter.”

Valerie laughed, took his arm, and leaned her head against his shoulder in a quick hug before straightening. “Kevin’s a dear. He’s always coming to my rescue. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

He just smiled at her without comment. Sarah’s stomach churned as she murmured the required niceties to a woman she’d rather throw out the door.

“There’s a table in the kitchen set up with punch, cookies, a cheese ball, crackers, just about anything you might want.” Harold motioned toward the door leading that way. “Help yourself, we’re informal and too lazy to serve.”

Sarah appreciated his attempt at humor, but she didn’t feel like laughing. Valerie did though and she pulled Kevin toward the kitchen.

“I want to see this old house. It’s beautiful, Kevin. However did they find such a wonderful place?” Valerie’s voice drifted back as Kevin followed her out of the room.

So he hadn’t told her everything. Had he told her about Trey? And her? Somehow the idea Valerie didn’t know Kevin’s dearest secrets brought balm to Sarah’s hurting heart.

She turned her attention to welcoming more potential donors as others came in, and the evening moved on until she realized she hadn’t thanked Kevin publicly for the house. When she couldn’t find him, she assumed he and his girlfriend had already gone. It was just as well. She didn’t know if she could hold a smile much longer anyway.

By the time the house cleared of visitors, Sarah welcomed Harold’s suggestion to leave. He remained silent on the drive home and walked her from the car without touching her. She unlocked her front door and turned to thank him for going with her, but he spoke first.

“May I come in? I promise I won’t stay long.”

Sarah nodded, wishing she could say no. All she wanted at the moment was to curl up in bed with her Bible and seek comfort for a broken heart.

She led the way into the living room and sank to the sofa. Harold stood.

“Do you want something to drink?” She looked up at him.

He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”

After a moment, he moved to sit beside her. “I’ve been patient, Sarah. You’ve had my ring almost three weeks. Each time I mention it, you offer to give it back. I had hoped with time…I guess I knew all along what your answer would be.”

Sarah hadn’t expected the pang of anxiety she felt with Harold’s words. She counted him a friend, and she didn’t want to lose him, but she didn’t love him. Marrying him wouldn’t fill the emptiness Kevin had left. She’d lost the only man she would ever love, not once but twice. Harold needed to find another mother for Katie. She wouldn’t stand in his way.

Sarah picked up the ring box and handed it to Harold. “I’m sorry, but I’m not the wife you’re looking for.”

His fingers closed around the box, and his eyes met hers. “Maybe I’m not the husband you’re looking for.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, and she swiped at them. “No, I’ll never marry.”

“You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Sarah shook her head. Her hands twisted together in her lap. “He walked away from me twice.”

A sob tore from her. Harold’s arm slipped around her shoulders pulling her into a comforting embrace. “Oh Harold, how can I live without him now?”

“You could still marry me.” He patted her back as if she were Katie.

She pulled away and stood. A mirthless laugh tore from her throat. “No, that would be wrong for both of us. I know that now. I didn’t mean to string you along. I was afraid of losing your friendship.”

He stood watching her, searching her eyes. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? Would marriage to me be so bad? Some of the best marriages have been based on friendship.”

She shook her head. “I can’t. You deserve better than that.”

She grabbed a tissue from the table and walked to the front door with him following. She stepped out on the porch with him. “Good night, Harold. Please find someone who truly loves you and who you love with all your heart. I’m sorry it couldn’t be me.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I had hoped. But I guess not. Will you send me off with one last hug? Groucho wants to stay friends with Sadie.”

Sarah stepped into his embrace and felt nothing except warmth. Why couldn’t she love Harold? A slow-moving car caught her attention and, still in Harold’s arms, she watched it drive by. Was that Kevin? Sarah jerked back.

“I’m sorry—” Harold started to apologize.

“No, it’s my fault.” She stared down the street but saw only red taillights. “I’ve got to go in, Harold. Please don’t settle for second best. God has someone for you. I know He does.”

After Harold drove away, Sarah locked her door and headed upstairs. Had Kevin driven past her house, or was she seeing things? If only she could get Kevin Nichols out of her life and out of her heart for good.

S
o much for talking to Sarah. Kevin drove away with a heavy heart, the image of her wrapped in the doctor’s arms a clear picture in his mind. He’d lost her. Maybe if he’d found her sooner, before Jenson stole her heart, he might’ve had a chance.

At his apartment, he went to the kitchen and started coffee. While it percolated, he pulled his tie off and hung it in his bedroom. Back in the living room he sank into his recliner and lifted his Bible from the lamp table. Maybe while he waited for his coffee, he could erase Sarah from his mind.

By habit, he turned to the Gospel of John and began to read. After several minutes, he set his Bible aside and went to the kitchen, returning with a cup of coffee and a package of cookies. Again he picked up his Bible, letting it fall open to John 15. He skimmed over the first verses that he had almost memorized and read to the end of the chapter then returned to verse seven. “ ‘If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.’”

He closed the Bible and set it aside. How he wished he could believe that. If simply asking would bring Sarah to him, he would at least try. He finished his coffee, took the cookies back to the kitchen, and went to bed.

Kevin woke the next morning with the sheets twisted around his legs. He nicked his chin when he shaved, and he dripped milk from his cereal on his shirt. Could the day get any worse?

Mr. Parker stopped him before he reached his office. “Nichols, when you get a minute, come see me.”

“Sure.” Kevin nodded toward his office door. “Let me get settled, and I’ll be right there.”

His boss waved his hand as if brushing him aside. “No hurry. Just whenever is fine.”

“Okay.”

Kevin entered his office. He left the door open. “Good morning, Valerie. What are you up to now?”

She leaned back in his chair with her feet, crossed at the ankle, resting on his desk. He skimmed past the fair amount of smooth leg her dress didn’t cover and met her gaze. She frequently dressed in vibrant colors. Today’s choice of red set off her olive skin tones and dark hair to perfection. A welcoming smile and sparkling blue eyes completed the picture. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I see.” He leaned against the desk. “Is there a reason?”

Her feet hit the floor and she stood, coming around to stand beside him. “Of course, Kevin. I always have a reason for what I do.”

He crossed his arms and faced her. “So that means you want something from me.”

Her lower lip stuck out in a pretty pout. “You’re being mean when I only want to invite you to church.”

“Okay.” Why not? He wouldn’t be going with Sarah anymore.

“Okay, what?” Her pout gave way to puzzlement. “Okay to invite you, or okay you’ll go with me?”

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Where and when?”

The squeal took him by surprise but gave warning before she launched herself into his arms. He chuckled. “Valerie, is this the way to behave in a public place of business?”

He didn’t expect her quick kiss on his lips, but she pulled back just as quick and twirled around, her skirt billowing out like a little girl’s. He laughed with her, glad for the distraction from his self-pity. He circled his desk and sat down. “Why don’t you run along now? I need to check on some things before I talk to your father.”

She smiled and grabbed a pen and paper from his desk, then wrote something before handing it to him. “This is the church’s address and the time. Don’t you dare be late. I’ll wait for you in front.”