Where Two Hearts Meet (9 page)

Chapter Four

Tessa gripped the door handle of their rental car as they hit another pothole on the rutted pathway Matt had the nerve to call a road. She glanced at his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and his intense expression and could almost read his thoughts.
I will conquer this road if it’s the last thing I do!

They had landed in Portland two and a half hours ago, claimed their bags, picked up the rental car, and set off for the wilds of the Cascades and Uncle Don’s mountain lodge on Lost Lake.

Tessa sighed and shifted her focus to the sparkling forest outside her car window. Snatches of clear azure sky peeked through the tall firs and cedars, still dripping from a recent shower. Lush patches of sword fern and leafy rhododendrons waved in the breeze as the car passed. Maybe a week in the mountains wouldn’t be so bad. She might even enjoy it as long as Matt didn’t pressure her too much about moving here.

“How much longer ’til we get there?” Evan called from the backseat.

Brie groaned. “Cut it out, Evan. You just asked that five minutes ago.”

“Both of you pipe down,” their older son, Justin, added in a disgusted tone. “We’ll get there when we get there.”

Tessa glanced back at her children sitting shoulder to shoulder in the rear seat. Justin’s head almost touched the roof of the compact car. Cramming the kids in like sardines had already led to petty arguments and bruised feelings. Why hadn’t Matt reserved a van or a larger car? Probably trying to save money. She closed her eyes and sighed again.

They hit another pothole. Tessa opened her eyes and gasped. Mount Hood rose before them like a mammoth, snow-covered pyramid, its jagged features reflected in the deep blue waters of Lost Lake.

“Check out that mountain!” Justin said.

“Let me see!” Evan squeaked, pulling on his brother’s arm. Brie strained to get a better view. “Wow, it looks so close.”

“The base is only a few miles away.” Matt smiled and slowed the car. “It’s really something, isn’t it?”

Tessa nodded, stunned out of her disgruntled mood. She had spent all of her life on the East Coast and never imagined the rugged beauty of the Oregon Cascades. Matt slowed and turned into a private drive.

Tessa glanced to the right as Matt rolled to a stop in front of a run-down structure built of large rocks and rough timbers stained almost black with age. Tangled vines and tall bushes hid a good portion of the old building. Wild blackberry brambles obscured the front walkway. Holes gaped in several broken windows, and a gutter pipe swung in the wind, screeching a foreboding welcome.

Matt peered out the rain-spattered windshield. “Well, here we are.”

Tessa stared at the startling scene. This was the lovely mountain lodge Matt had described to her and the kids? Had he purposely lied, or was he unaware of the toll the years had taken on his uncle’s property?

“This is it?” Brie asked, a shudder in her voice.

“Hey, it’s not so bad,” Justin added. “It sort of reminds me of a big log cabin or Swiss chalet. Look at those two stone chimneys. It must have a couple of nice big fireplaces.”

“I think it looks cool!” Evan unhooked his seat belt. “Maybe it’s even haunted!” He scrambled over his sister and out the door. Justin climbed out on his side and followed his younger brother toward the lodge.

“Wait for your father,” Tessa called, but the boys only slowed a little.

Matt stepped out, then paused to stretch before he looked back at Tessa and Brie. “Let’s see if we can find the key the lawyer said she’d leave for us.”

Brie settled back in the seat. “I think I’ll wait out here.”

Tessa crossed her arms.
My sentiments exactly!

Matt leaned back inside the car. “I’m sure it’s safe; come on.”

Tessa stared past her husband’s shoulder and tried to swallow the panic rising in her throat. How could he look so happy? She knew the old place was probably full of spiders and snakes—maybe something worse.

Matt offered Tessa his hand.

She couldn’t sit in the car all day, looking like a scaredy-cat, so she braced herself and climbed out. Brie followed, mumbling something about bats and the ghost of Bigfoot.

Justin whistled. “Hey, Dad, check out those wheels.”

Tessa followed Justin’s gaze and spotted a sleek black BMW partially hidden by the bushes at the side of the house.

The front door squeaked open, and a blond woman in a long navy raincoat stepped out on the porch. “Hello there, you must be the Malones.”

The woman had a flawless complexion and stunning blue eyes. She was at least ten years younger than Tessa and gorgeous by anyone’s standards. Little vines of envy wove around Tessa’s heart, making her feel like a dowdy pigmy.

Matt leaped up on the porch and reached to shake the woman’s hand. “Yes, I’m Matt Malone, and this is my wife, Tessa, and our children, Justin, Brie, and Evan.” The woman sent him a slow, seductive smile.

Tessa’s stomach clenched.

“I’m Mallory Willard, your late uncle’s lawyer.” She released Matt’s hand and flipped her long hair over her shoulder. “I got your message at the office, and I thought I’d drive out and meet you. How was your trip?”

“Great. Smooth flight. No problems.”

“Wonderful.” Mallory nodded and smiled.

Matt glanced around the porch and ran his hand over the sagging railing, looking as though he was assessing the repair work that needed to be done.

“Why don’t we go inside, and I’ll give you a tour?” Mallory’s voice sounded as smooth as warm honey.

Tessa shivered and pulled her navy wool jacket closer. She followed Matt and Mallory inside, and the kids trooped in behind. As she stepped into the living room, a damp, musty smell assaulted her nose, making her long to throw open a window and let in some fresh air.

“Your uncle was quite a recluse. He said he’d lived here by himself for the last thirty-two years.”

Matt nodded. “He always said he didn’t mind living on his own, but it sounds like a pretty lonely lifestyle to me.”

Tessa’s gaze traveled around the large rectangular room, taking in every depressing detail. Cobwebs clung to the light fixtures and stair railings. An overstuffed, red plaid couch and two mismatched chairs with sagging stuffing sat facing the hearth. Cluttered bookshelves and a sturdy roll top desk occupied one corner near the large stone fireplace. A coffee mug and stacks of papers sat on the open desk as though someone had walked away and intended to return.

The thought that no one had lived here since Matt’s uncle’s death sent goose bumps racing up her arms. The sooner they finished this tour and were on their way, the better. But how would she convince her husband to abandon his plan of spending the entire week here?

Matt laid his hands on the back of the old sagging couch and stared into the cold fireplace, a wistful smile on his face. “I remember sitting right here and listening to my uncle tell stories about being on the Mount Hood Ski Patrol. Then there were all his hunting and fishing stories.” He chuckled and shook his head.

Mallory smiled. “I’m glad you have such pleasant memories of your uncle. He loved this property. But his health declined the last few years. I suppose that’s why he let the place go a little.”

Shock waves rippled through Tessa. “A little?” Everyone turned toward her, and her face flamed, but she continued. “This place is falling apart. Just look at it.” She waved her hand in a broad arc. “It would take thousands of dollars to make it livable.” She glared at Mallory. “What do you expect us to do with it?”

“Well, that’s entirely up to you and your husband.” Mallory’s gaze shifted to Matt. “It does need some cleanup and repairs, but I’m sure you can see the value and potential.”

“Of course.” Matt nodded and sent Tessa a sideways glance that seemed to question her sanity.

Tessa fought to keep her mouth closed. Mallory Willard didn’t care how much effort and expense it would take to repair this lodge. She would have to be paid whether they sold the property or not.

“Shall we continue our tour?” Mallory led them through the dining room past a sturdy pine table and chairs and into the large kitchen. “I know your uncle was a widower. I suppose he didn’t like to spend too much time in the kitchen.”

Tessa stared at the grease-stained, rooster-patterned wallpaper and the chipped yellow cabinets. A small sink hung from the wall at an odd angle, surrounded by red Formica counters. An ancient refrigerator and a cast-iron woodstove filled the rest of the wall space. How could anyone cook anything edible under these conditions? She sent her husband a heated glance.

“All the bedrooms are on the second floor,” Mallory continued, leaving the forlorn kitchen and leading them back into the living room and up the wide wooden stairs.

Evan ran ahead. Brie and Justin hurried after him.

“Hey, I want this room,” Brie called. “It has a great view of the lake.”

“This one has bunk beds!” Evan leaned out the second bedroom door and looked at her with pleading eyes. “Can I sleep on top, Mom? Please? I promise I won’t fall off.”

“We’ll talk about that later.” Matt gave Evan a look that said no argument allowed.

Justin disappeared into the next room, and Tessa heard him opening drawers and rummaging around.

“Here’s the fourth bedroom.” Mallory pushed open the door and stood back for Matt and Tessa to enter.

Tessa held her breath and peeked inside. To her surprise, it looked a little better than the other rooms they’d passed through. Three large windows on the south wall flooded the room with warm light. A cozy blue quilt covered a metal-framed double bed, and an old pine dresser sat in the corner. An oval braided rug covered a large portion of the hardwood floor, giving the room a welcoming appeal.

“This is nice.” Matt turned to Tessa.

She knew he wanted her to say something positive. It was the best room in the house. That wasn’t saying much, but at least—

A little brown mouse dashed across the floor near Tessa’s feet. She screamed and jumped back, bumping into Matt. He reached out to steady her.

Mallory gasped.

Matt lunged and stomped his foot, missing the mouse by several inches. The frightened little critter spun in a circle, skittered across the floor, and disappeared into a large crack by the baseboard in the corner.

Justin dashed into the room. “What’s going on?”

“Mom, are you okay?” Brie hurried in behind Justin.

Evan slid in past his siblings. “What did I miss?”

“It’s all right.” Matt put his arm around Tessa’s shoulders. “Your mom saw a mouse.”

“Mom screamed ’cause of a mouse?” Evan cocked his head, looking puzzled. “Why’d you do that? You used to like my pet mice.”

Tessa sighed. “I know. He surprised me, that’s all.”

“I’m sure you can get some traps from the hardware store in town,” Mallory said.

“Traps?” Evan squeaked, looking horrified. “We don’t want to kill them!”

Tessa knew their young son’s sensitive spirit couldn’t tolerate cruelty to any living creature, even stray field mice. She shot a quick look at Matt, sending a silent message.

Matt’s gaze met Tessa’s for a split second, then turned to Mallory. “We’ll see if we can find traps that catch them alive, and then we can release them in the woods.”

“Whew!” Evan pushed his straight brown hair off his forehead. “For a minute there, I thought our family was going to be guilty of mice murder.”

Brie leaned closer to her father. “Good move, Dad.” Adoration shone in her eyes. Then she placed her hands on her brother’s shoulders. “Come on, Evan. I want to show you the view from my room.”

Mallory turned to Matt. “I guess your children are real animal lovers.”

“Yes, they are.”

“They seem like great kids,” Mallory added.

“Thanks. We think we’re pretty blessed.” Matt smiled and squeezed Tessa’s shoulder. His eyes glowed, sending a private message that sent tingles through her.

For some silly reason her throat tightened, and she felt tears prick her eyes. What was the matter with her? Of course their kids were great. She knew that. And her husband was pretty special, too. Tessa returned a tremulous smile. Sure, Matt was a crazy dreamer, but sometimes she wished she believed in his dreams. Maybe then they could recapture some of what they’d lost.

Chapter Five

With a sleepy yawn, Tessa rolled over and pushed the blankets away from her face. Soft morning light filtered through unfamiliar windows. So it wasn’t a dream. She really was in Oregon. A smile played at her lips as she remembered the special time she and Matt had shared the night before. If only he would give up this crazy idea of them moving to Oregon. Maybe things could settle down and they could focus on making their relationship a priority.

She squinted, searching the room for her husband. Why was it so hazy? She sniffed and sat up. Could that be smoke?

“Matt?” She climbed out of bed, her senses coming fully awake when her bare feet hit the cold floor. “Matt!”

No answer. Her heart began to pound. Could the lodge be on fire? Her mind fought to grab hold of reality. She snatched her robe from the end of the bed and slipped it on. When she pushed open her bedroom door, a thin bluish haze hung in the air, heightening her fears.

“Justin, Brianna!” Tessa hurried down the hall. “Wake up!”

Her older son appeared at his bedroom door dressed in sweats and an old T-shirt.

“Put on your shoes and get your brother,” Tessa ordered.

Brie opened her door. “What’s going on?”

“I smell smoke. Put on a sweatshirt and get your sneakers.” Tessa dashed back to her bedroom and slid on her shoes. She returned to the hall in time to see Justin ushering Evan toward the stairway. Brie trotted down the steps just ahead of her brothers.

“Where’s the fire?” Evan asked, excitement lighting up his young face.

“We don’t know. Just keep moving,” Justin ordered, hustling his brother ahead.

Brie slowed halfway down the stairs and looked back. “Where’s Daddy?” Her pale face and wide-eyed look made Tessa’s heart lurch.

“I don’t know, honey. Just keep going. We’ll find him.”

The hazy curtain thickened as they reached the living room. Tessa shot a glance toward the fireplace, hoping she would find it was the source of the smoke, but it sat cold and empty.

Justin shoved Evan toward her. “You take Evan and Brie out front. I’m going to find Dad.” The determined look in his eyes sent a tremor through Tessa.

“No, I’ll find him.” Tessa steered Evan back toward his brother. “I want all three of you to go outside.”

“Shouldn’t we call 9-1-1?” Brie coughed and squinted against the smoke.

Tessa grabbed her cell phone from the table. “Here, Justin, take my phone. Give me a couple minutes, and then make the call. Now go!”

Justin grabbed the phone and urged his younger siblings out the door. Tessa bent lower and headed toward the kitchen door where the smoke seemed thicker.

Oh, Lord, please help me find Matt. And I know I said I don't want to live here, but I didn’t mean I wanted the place to burn down!

Tessa pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen, and her prayer came to an abrupt halt. Matt stood in the center of the smoky room waving an old dishtowel, red-faced and coughing. Smoke poured from the cracks in the stovepipe of the woodstove.

“What are you doing?” Tessa stammered.

“I’m trying to cook breakfast. But this crazy stove is impossible.” Matt reached for the cast-iron frying pan full of half-congealed eggs. “I don’t understand it. The fire is roaring, but there’s not much heat coming out on top.”

“Did you open the vents?” Tessa blinked against the stinging smoke.

“What vents?”

“There must be dampers or something. You probably have to open them like a flue on a fireplace chimney.” Tessa coughed as she walked closer to the belching black stove. “Here, let’s try this thing.” She turned a handle near the firebox and stood back. Immediately the smoke stopped flowing out of the pipe cracks.

“Oh. I never saw that.” Matt strode to the back door and shoved it open.

“I’ll open a window.” Tessa struggled to raise the window over the sink. Looking outside, she saw her three children huddled together by their rental car, anxiously watching the lodge.

“It’s okay,” Tessa called through the dirty screen. “You can come back inside. It’s just your father—cooking breakfast.” They groaned in unison and shuffled toward the lodge.

“What are they doing out there?”

“I smelled smoke upstairs and thought the lodge was on fire.”

Matt turned toward her. “Sorry. I didn’t realize the smoke had drifted all the way upstairs. That must’ve been an awful way to wake up.”

A smile tugged at her lips as she watched her husband stir the pan of half-cooked eggs, his apron stained with soot. “It looks like your breakfast plans backfired.”

Matt tossed aside the potholder with a mischievous grin. “Backfired. Ha! That’s very funny.”

Tessa covered her mouth to hide her snicker.

“Hey, I think I deserve a little appreciation since I’ve been slaving over a not-so-hot stove to make you this gourmet breakfast.” His eyes glowed with warmth and humor as he walked toward her. “Come here.”

She met him in the middle.

Matt wrapped his strong arms around her. He smelled deliciously like wood smoke and spicy aftershave. His embrace tightened. “I’m sorry, Tessa. I didn’t mean to scare you or the kids.” He sighed into her hair. “I never meant to hurt you. Never.”

Was it the smoke or his tender words that brought tears to her eyes? She blinked them away and pulled in a shuddering breath. She could easily forgive him for this smoky breakfast, but how could she let go of the painful memories and trust him again after all his failures had cost them?

* * *

Matt pushed aside his empty plate and settled back to enjoy his coffee. Tessa had come to his rescue in the kitchen, and working together, they had managed to prepare an edible breakfast. The kids gobbled up their food like hungry lumberjacks. Matt smiled. He had always heard that mountain air made people feel hungrier. The old saying seemed to hold true for his crew.

“This jam is good.” Evan licked his lips and popped the last bite of toast into his mouth.

Tessa smiled and reached over with her napkin to wipe a purple smear off Evan’s cheek. “So you like boysenberry?”

Evan grinned. “Uh-huh.”

“Want me to finish up these eggs?” Justin asked.

“Sure, go ahead.” Tessa looked at her daughter. “Unless you want some more, Brie.”

“No, thanks. I’m full.” Brie drank the last of her orange juice. “That was pretty good. Thanks.”

Matt nodded. This beat their normal cereal-and-milk routine by a mile. That was all they had time for most mornings, before they all rushed off to their separate lives.

Evan scooted back from the table. “When can we go down to the lake?”

Tessa frowned. “I don’t want you going down there by yourself, Evan.”

“I’ll go with him.” Brie wiped her hands on a napkin.

“I’m ready to do some exploring,” Justin added.

Matt held back a surprised grin. Back in Princeton, Justin preferred spending time with his friends rather than his siblings. Here was another good reason for them to move to a quiet, rural setting where they could all spend more time together.

“Okay, but I want you to stick together, and don’t go in the water.” Tessa bit her lip, an anxious frown creasing her forehead.

Justin rolled his eyes. “Mom, that water is probably freezing. There’s no way we’d go in.”

“Not unless I push you.” Brie grinned.

“Oh yeah? Just try it!” Justin gave her a playful shove as they headed toward the door.

“Wait, don’t forget your jackets,” Tessa called.

“I won’t be cold,” Evan insisted, plucking at his green sweatshirt. “I’ve got two layers.”

“I know, but I don’t want you—”

Matt laid his hand gently on her arm. “Let them go, honey. They’ll be fine.” Tessa’s worried frown squelched everyone’s joy. He wished he could help her relax and trust someone—anyone. Why was she always on guard like that? Of course he was thankful she was a caring, responsible mother, but Tessa’s caring often slipped over the line into overprotective anxiety.

He sat back, watching the kids clatter across the porch and disappear down the shady path leading to the lake.

“I hope they stay together,” she said. “I can’t imagine Justin slowing down when Evan wants to catch a frog or a turtle.”

“They’ll be okay. I’m glad they’re occupied for a while. That’ll give us time to talk.”

Tessa shot him a wary glance. “About what?”

Matt clasped his hands and rested his elbows on the table. “We’ve known about this property for six weeks. It’s time to make some decisions.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“I want to hear what you’re thinking.” He smiled, hoping her responsiveness last night was also an indication she was softening toward him—and his desire to move.

Tessa looked at him with a guarded expression. “I know you love this place, but I think we should do some cleanup, find a good Realtor, and list it. I’m sure some developer or nature lover will snap it up.”

As her words sunk in, his throat ached with defeat. “You still want to sell?”

“Of course I want to sell,” she said with an irritated huff. “We’d have to totally renovate if we were going to live here. And that would take too much time and money.” She sent him a pointed look. “Money we don’t have.”

His anger flared, and he shot off a prayer for patience. “I know we’d have to put a lot of sweat equity into this place to make it nice enough for our family, but look at the property. There’s nothing like this in New Jersey. And we’d own it free and clear, unlike that dinky condo we’re renting now. Everything we put into this place would be ours, and with a little help from a few people, we could get the work done and open by midsummer.”

“Open? What do you mean?”

Matt swallowed. Maybe he had made a mistake by waiting until they arrived here to spring this part of the idea on her, but she’d refused to discuss it at home. “I want to rent out the cabins as soon as possible and then build a meeting room and dining hall so we can accommodate groups by next summer. I’ve researched it and done a complete business proposal. I even have a few people in mind who might be willing to get involved as investors.”

Tessa’s eyes widened. “You can’t be serious. How could you even consider asking other people to get involved in this—this disaster? Look at this place!” She waved her hand toward the broken front window, sagging curtains, and peeling wallpaper. “We’re talking about thousands of dollars for renovations, with no idea how or when we would be able to pay them back. No, Matt!” Tessa sprang from her chair and retreated to the living room.

Matt followed her, but he paused to pick up a folder from the coffee table. “Sit down with me and take a look at these plans.”

Tessa silently stared into the cold fireplace.

“Tessa, please. Listen to me. Share my dream.” His voice grew thick with emotion. “I know I’ve made some mistakes before, but I believe the Lord gave us this property for a reason.”

She spun and faced him. “Yes, He did. He gave it to us so we could pay off the van, get a decent home again, and be able to send our kids to college.”

Matt growled and flopped down on the couch. “This isn’t about Lost Lake Lodge, is it? It’s about what happened before.”

“No!” But her indignant scowl and quick answer confirmed he was right.

His pulse pounded in his temple. “When are you going to forgive me and let it go?”

“How can I, when you’re ready to turn right around and do the same thing all over again?”

“How can you say that? You haven’t even looked at the plans.”

“Because I know you, Matt. You’re a dreamer with your head in the clouds, while your family is down here scraping by, just trying to survive.”

Angry words boiled up inside him, threatening to overflow at her painful exaggerations. Their lifestyle was a far cry from scraping by. They had both worked hard to overcome their financial problems, and they were making good progress.

“You don’t trust me. That’s the real problem. You don’t believe I have enough common sense and business know-how to make this work.” He clutched the folder holding the detailed plans he had created to provide protection for them and any investors who joined them in developing the property. But she wouldn’t even look at them. Her heart was as hard as granite.

“You’re wrong about me, Tessa. I may be a dreamer, but I love you and the kids, and I want what’s best for our family. I’ve slaved away for three years at a job I hate to provide for us and dig us out of this hole.”

His hand shook as he pointed at her. “The real issue is you’re afraid to take a risk. Even when God dumps a diamond in your lap, you run away screaming, ‘The sky is falling!’ ”

Tessa gasped. “Oh, you’re so—”

“No! Don’t say anything else you’ll regret.” He got up and walked out the front door, slamming it behind him.