Where Two Hearts Meet (10 page)

Chapter Six

The door banged shut. Tessa jumped, and fear prickled up her spine. Matt rarely got this angry. What would he do now? Take a walk to cool off or climb in the car and go for a long drive?

She paced to the front window and shoved aside the dusty curtain. Matt strode down the driveway but slowed as a black BMW rolled to a stop beside him. The window lowered, and Mallory Willard looked out.

The sudden smile on Matt’s face jolted Tessa. She gripped the curtain and stared at their animated expressions.
Oh, Matt, don't make a fool of yourself with that woman.
Tessa balled her fists. Ooh! If only I could read their lips.

Mallory parked her car and climbed out. Matt continued talking to her and politely shut her door. She flashed him a smile and tossed her blond hair over her shoulder. She looked more like a fashion model than a lawyer in her slim black pants, bright red blouse, and black leather jacket.

Tessa straightened her shoulders, preparing to confront her. But rather than walking toward the lodge, they turned and headed down the secluded path toward the lake.

Tessa’s eyes bulged, and her heart began to pound. Why would Matt take a walk with that—that woman? The answer about slapped her in the face. Of course he wouldn’t want to bring Mallory back to the lodge after the way Tessa had been acting.

Regret cooled her anger. Perhaps she should have at least looked at his business proposal. But how could she even consider moving here? His plan would plunge their family back into debt and destroy her sagging sense of security. She’d have to give up her business and move far away from her family and friends. She’d lose daily contact with her sister. And with all Allison was going through, she needed Tessa.

But what about Matt? Shouldn’t her first commitment be to her husband?

Tessa sighed and closed her eyes as her confused thoughts tumbled through her mind. She didn’t want to give up her life in Princeton for the frightening risks of Matt’s far-fetched scheme. Why couldn’t he settle down and be happy in New Jersey where everything was safe and predictable? Why couldn’t he understand her needs and desires?

* * *

Matt pulled in a deep breath of cool mountain air. There was nothing like the refreshing scent of Douglas fir and the pungent aroma of the damp, mossy forest floor. Being here made him feel alive. These woods were nothing like the steel and glass cityscape he viewed from his third-floor office window.

“Matt?”

“Sorry.” He glanced at Mallory. “Guess I was daydreaming.”

“That’s okay. This place inspires me to do a little dreaming myself.” She gazed up at the huge fir trees along the path leading back to the lodge. “Do you know how lucky you are to inherit a piece of property like this?”

He nodded and then frowned slightly, realizing once again the awesome responsibility his uncle’s gift had placed on his shoulders. Would he be able to develop the land in a way that preserved and protected the forest, or would he be forced to sell it to someone who wouldn’t care about its natural beauty?

“I’m sorry I forgot that list of contractors,” Mallory said. “Would you like me to give you a call when I get back to the office?” They stepped from the shade of the forest path and crunched across the gravel driveway toward Mallory’s car.

Matt glanced toward the lodge. “Sure. That would be fine.” The memory of Tessa’s angry words rose and squelched the delight he had felt only moments before. He was too embarrassed to tell Mallory that he and Tessa couldn’t agree about the future of his uncle’s property.

“Anything else you need, just give me a call.” Her gaze lingered, and he noticed her eyes were the same deep blue as Lost Lake.

“Dad! Look what we found!” Evan rushed toward him, carrying a rusty coffee can. “Justin said it’s a saladmander.”

Justin laughed and shook his head as he and Brie followed Evan out of the forest. “That’s salamander, Ev.”

Matt leaned down to take a look at the squiggly black creature swimming in the slimy-looking lake water. “Well, look at that.”

“Isn’t he cool?” Evan grinned with delight. “I never saw one of these before except on the Nature Channel. His back is really smooth. You want to touch him?” Evan held the can out toward Matt and Mallory.

She shook her head and melted back against the car. “No, no thanks.”

“He won’t hurt you.” Evan lifted the can a little higher.

Matt held back a chuckle. “I think that’s close enough, Evan.” Mallory might appreciate the beauty of the forest, but she obviously wasn’t too fond of the creatures inhabiting the lake.

Brie sent her dad a knowing glance. “Come on, Evan. Let’s take him back to the house and show Mom.”

Evan’s eyes lit up at this new possibility, and he streaked off toward the lodge, lake water sloshing out of his can.

Matt studied Mallory as she brushed a tiny drop of water from the sleeve of her leather jacket. In spite of the perturbed pucker of her lips, she was a very attractive woman. But her chin had a haughty tilt, and he’d noticed an edge in her voice when she spoke to the kids, hinting at another person behind the smile.

“You certainly have your hands full with these kids.” She looked up and caught him watching her. She smiled. “But I like the way you handle them.”

“They keep me on my toes.” He watched his kids scale the front steps, each one unique and so special. He’d do just about anything to make them happy and be sure their future was secure.

Mallory climbed into her car and closed her door. Lowering the window, she smiled at him once more. “Call me. Anytime. I want to do whatever I can to help you. It’s a wonderful plan, and I can tell you’re just the man who can pull it off.”

A warm rush of pleasure shot through him as he replayed Mallory’s flattering words, but it faded away as he watched her drive off.

He turned and trudged back toward the lodge. He dreaded facing his wife. Why had he stormed off like that? He rarely walked out on an argument, and he never slammed doors. As he considered what to do next, he could almost hear what his friend Keith would say. “You blew it, Matt. You need to go back in there and apologize. You’ll never win Tessa over by bulldozing her. ”

Matt rubbed his forehead.
Lord, I haven’t been handling this very well. You know how much I want to make this move. I think it would be best for all of us. Please soften Tessa’s heart, and help me trust You to work this out.

Matt pulled open the screen door and walked into the living room.

“Evan, would you please put that salamander outside?” Tessa straightened up from tying twine around a large stack of old newspapers. “Then go up and change into a clean pair of jeans. You’re all muddy.” She shot a glance at Matt and then averted her eyes.

“Aw, Mom, can’t I keep him in here?”

“Listen to your mother, Evan.” Matt crossed the room toward them. “He’ll be fine on the porch for now. After lunch, I think we should take him back down to the lake and let him go.”

“But, Dad, I want to keep him for a pet.”

“Think about that, buddy. There’s not much food for him in that can. You wouldn’t want him to starve, would you?”

Evan’s eyes widened. “No, I guess not.”

“Take him outside, and then run up and change.” Matt gave his son a playful swat on the seat of his pants. Evan scampered out to the porch. He shot back past them and dashed up the stairs.

Matt watched Tessa kneel down to tie another stack of newspapers. Her faded blue jeans and a loose red shirt couldn’t hide her attractive, petite figure. Even at forty-seven she still looked great to him. She had replaced her usual dangly earrings with little gold posts, and she’d tucked her short dark brown hair behind her ears while she worked. It reminded him of the way she looked that first day they met.

His heart twisted. “Listen, Tessa. I shouldn’t have walked out like that. I’m sorry.”

She focused on tying the twine into a tight knot.

He squatted down next to her. “I know I haven’t really heard what you have to say about moving here, so . . . I’m ready to listen.”

Her hand froze, and she slowly lifted her gaze to meet his. The suspicion in her eyes cut him to the heart. Would he ever win back her trust?

“I don’t want to move here, Matt. I want to stay in Princeton.” Her voice trembled.

He nodded and waited for her to say more, but she silently blinked back tears and looked away.

“Okay. I hear you, and I’m not going to force you into this. But I think we both need some more time and information before we make a final decision. How about I call a Realtor or two and have them come out and do a market analysis? We can ask some questions and find out what we would need to do to put it on the market.”

Tessa sat back on her heels and looked at him doubtfully.

“I’d also like to have a contractor come out and look at the lodge and cabins and give us some estimates on renovations. Then I’d like us to sit down and talk things over. We don’t have to make a decision this week, but I think we should look at all the possibilities while we’re here, including my business proposal.”

Tessa pressed her lips together. “Okay. I suppose that’s fair.”

“Then there’s one more thing I’d like us to do.”

“What?”

“I’d like us to pray about this—together.”

A wary look returned to Tessa’s eyes. She stood and folded her arms across her chest.

He knew his request surprised her. They didn’t have a habit of praying together. The last time they had prayed as a couple was when his father faced a serious heart surgery more than two years ago.

She released a soft sigh. “All right.”

Chapter Seven

Tessa wrapped her hands around her teacup and let the warmth flow into her fingers. Settling back in the chair, she took a sip and stared out Sweet Something’s rain-drizzled front windows. Cars buzzed down Princeton’s

historic Nassau Street, but the rain had kept all but a few hardy customers away.

She lowered her gaze to the wholesale grocery order form on the table in front of her and squinted at the tiny print. It would be impossible for her to fill it out without going back to the kitchen for her glasses.

Growing older could be such a pain. But it wasn’t only blurred vision that bothered her. The decision hanging over her head left her feeling anxious and unsettled. They’d returned from Oregon three days ago, but she and Matt still couldn’t agree on the future of Lost Lake Lodge. Oh, she’d looked over his business proposal. And they’d received bids from two contractors for renovations, but the money required to move ahead on either of those options had shocked her into angry silence.

Praying with Matt only made her feel more pressured. And now the kids were getting excited about the possibility of moving—even Brie! Tessa couldn’t believe the way her daughter had turned traitor and sided with Matt as soon as her boyfriend, Ryan, began discussing attending Oregon State University.

Tessa rubbed her forehead. How would they ever be able to send any of their kids away to college if their finances became tangled up in that crazy lodge project?

The bell over the front door jingled. Bill Hancock stepped inside and glanced around. He smiled and waved when he saw Tessa. He wore charcoal slacks and a soft-gray V-neck sweater over a light blue shirt that matched the color of his eyes. Threads of silver in his dark hair and deep creases created by his smile, added to his good looks.

“Welcome back.” He laid his hand on the back of the chair opposite hers, obviously waiting for an invitation to sit down.

“Can I get you something?” she asked, rising from her chair. “I just took some blueberry scones out of the oven a few minutes ago.”

“Sounds great.” He winked, and his smile deepened.

She blushed and silently scolded herself. Bill was just a friend—though his compliments and lingering looks suggested he might like to be more if circumstances were different. But he’d never done anything more than flirt, and she’d never done anything except enjoy his attention; still, a small cloud of guilt shadowed her heart. “Would you like coffee?”

“Yes, thanks.” He took a seat, and she felt his gaze follow her as she turned and walked away.

When she stepped into the kitchen, her sister Allison met her. “More customers?”

“Just Bill Hancock. I’ll take care of him.”

A fleeting frown crossed Allison’s face. “Don’t let him monopolize your afternoon.”

Tessa heard the subtle warning behind her sister’s words. She turned away and poured Bill’s coffee into a mug. “I can’t very well ignore him. He’s a good customer and a fellow business owner.” She chose the largest scone on the cooling rack and put it on a plate.

“I know, but I don’t trust him.”

“Why would you say that? He’s always been friendly to me.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” Allison lifted her brows and sent Tessa a serious look. “Just be careful.”

“Don’t worry.” She scooped up the tray and strolled out of the kitchen. Sometimes her sister could be such a wet blanket. There was nothing wrong with talking to Bill. His visits made her forget about her troubles. And for a little while each afternoon, he made her feel young and attractive again. What was wrong with that?

“Wow, that looks delicious.” Bill smiled as she set the scone and coffee on the table in front of him.

Tessa glanced at her half-f teacup.

“I didn’t mean to cut your break short,” Bill said. “You’ve probably been on your feet all day. Please, sit down.”

Something melted inside her at his thoughtfulness, and she took a seat. “Thanks. I am feeling a little tired. Jet lag, I guess.”

“How was your trip?” He poured cream into his coffee.

Conflicting emotions swirled through her. “Oregon is beautiful. I’ve never seen huge mountains and evergreen forests like that.” She hesitated and looked into Bill’s eyes. “My husband wants us to move there.”

“You’re kidding.” Bill frowned and laid aside his spoon.

“My husband’s uncle left him an old mountain lodge with seven guest cabins. Matt thinks we should renovate the property and rent out the cabins. But we’d have to take out a huge loan or find investors to pay for it.” She clucked her tongue, and disgust crept into her voice. “I don’t understand how he can even consider it. I’d have to pull the kids out of school, and we’d be all the way across the country from my family. And who knows how long it would be before we’d make an income from the cabins.” She shivered at that frightening thought.

“What about Sweet Something?”

Her throat tightened. “I’d have to give it up.” She glanced around the teashop and remembered how she and Allison had hunted all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey to find just the right antiques to give Sweet Something a special look. They’d tested recipes and developed the menu, stocked the gift shop, and worked long hours to build their business. What would happen if she pulled out and left Allison to manage it on her own? The teashop was important to her sister, but spending time with her husband and creating paintings for her limited-edition print collection took time, too.

“Is the decision final?”

“No, but Matt’s pretty determined to go.”

Bill’s blue eyes took on a frosty glint. “Don’t let him push you into doing something you’ll regret.”

“What choice do I have? If he says we’re going, it’s settled.” She crossed her arms and tried to swallow the angry lump in her throat.

Bill pulled back and looked at her curiously. “Wait a minute. Why should he be the one to make that decision? What you want is important, too. You’ve worked hard to make your business successful.” He pressed his lips together in a firm line. “Don’t let him force you into giving up your shop.”

An uncomfortable shiver passed through her. “Well, he’s not really forcing me. He thinks it would be a good move for the whole family, and running his own business has been his dream for a long time.”

“If that’s what he wants, maybe you should let him go for it. But that doesn’t mean you have to go, too.”

Surprise rippled through her.

“People’s goals and desires change. Sometimes everyone is happier if they follow their own path and pursue their own dreams.”

She’d never considered the possibility of staying in Princeton while Matt worked in Oregon. Didn’t some couples live in different cities and commute to see each other on weekends or vacations? But what kind of marriage would that be? How would an arrangement like that affect their children? Doubt swirled through her.

“This is an important decision, Tessa. There’s a lot at stake.”

Bill rested both arms on the table and leaned toward her. “Don’t make the mistake of throwing away your dreams.”

* * *

Matt stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets as he crossed the park toward the Little League baseball diamond. Birds sang in the maple trees, and the air had a fresh rain-washed scent. If only he had different news to tell Tessa. But maybe this was best. At least the decision was out of their hands.

He focused on the small crowd seated on the metal bleachers and soon spotted Tessa and Brie in the third row. Justin stood by the dugout, his black baseball cap pulled low over his eyes as he watched his little brother’s game. Matt smiled as his gaze settled on Evan standing behind third base. His son leaned forward, ready for the next play.

Matt greeted a few parents and then climbed the bleachers. Tessa scooted over and made room for him. He settled on the bench next to her. “How’s Evan doing?”

“He’s played three of the five innings, walked once, and struck out twice.”

Matt nodded, watching Tessa, trying to guess her mood. It had been a rocky week. His patience had been strained to the max as pressure increased at work and Tessa remained set against moving. If he hadn’t had Keith’s support, he didn’t know how he would’ve made it. His friend’s advice ran through his mind again. “Love her. Listen to her concerns. Wait for the Lord to bring her around. Don’t push it. ”

He blew out a deep breath. What would Keith say now? Today’s events had changed everything. He cleared his throat. “Brie, is the concession stand open?”

She leaned forward and looked around Tessa. “Yeah, why?”

“Would you get us some sodas?”

Brie cocked her head. “You feeling okay, Dad?”

He grimaced and reached for his wallet. “I’m fine.” She didn’t need to remind him that one trip to the concession stand could wipe out their entertainment budget for the week. They usually brought drinks and snacks from home to save money. Well, those days were almost over. He handed his daughter a ten, and she climbed down the bleachers.

“What was that about?” Tessa watched him curiously.

“We need to talk, and I thought it would be better to do it without an audience.”

Apprehension creased her forehead. “What is it?”

“Madden sold out. My job’s been cut.”

Tessa gasped. “They fired you?”

“No, they eliminated my position. But don’t worry; they gave me a severance package.”

“What are we going to do? The money I make from Sweet Something will barely cover our rent. How will we pay for utilities or food? And what about the car payments?”

He glanced around, hoping no one had overheard her frantic questions. “Calm down, Tessa. It’s not like we’re going to be homeless next week. The severance package should cover our expenses for at least three months. The kids can finish the school year, and then it will pay for our moving expenses and help us get started with the renovations.”

His wife’s face paled. “What are you saying?”

He took her hands. “We asked the Lord to show us if we should move. I’d say this makes it pretty clear.”

She stiffened and pulled back. “Just because you lost your job, that doesn’t mean we have to move. You can look for another job, here in Princeton.”

“Tessa, you know how tight the job market is here.”

“But you have experience and connections. Surely you can find something.”

“Why should I look here when we own Lost Lake Lodge? We can develop a great family business there and live the kind of life most people only dream about. I’m not talking so much about a big income. I think that’s going to happen eventually, but I mean being a closer, stronger family.”

Tessa’s hands trembled in his, and fear darkened her eyes. If only he could infuse her heart with more faith—faith in him and in God. But she had to make that choice herself. All he could do was tell her the truth and pray she would understand.

“I believe God’s leading us to move to Oregon. I think this will be good for all of us.” He gripped her hands more tightly, feeling like he stood balanced on the edge of a huge cliff. “I need you, Tessa. Come with me, be my partner, help me make this plan work.”

Tears pooled in her dark eyes. “It doesn’t make sense to me, Matt. We’d be giving up so much. How can I say yes?” She pulled her icy hands away and lifted her chin. “You go ahead and chase your dream. The kids and I aren’t going anywhere.”

Her words slammed into him like a Mack truck doing seventy, and he felt himself fall over the edge of the cliff.