Lost & Found Love (31 page)

Stoner shut himself in his wood shop for a few days. When he finally emerged, it was as if he had simply shaken off a bad mood and decided to move on.

Tabby observed it all, her concern deepening. They had put Erin in a neat little compartment, locked the door, and shut her out of their lives. If Tabby had discovered nothing else from her own experience and Melodie’s, it was that family secrets refused to stay hidden. She seriously doubted they had seen or heard the last of Erin. And why should they? She was family.

A shiver snaked down her spine. Tabby still had her own family out there somewhere. Tommy MacVie might not be blood kin, but he was still a threat. She needed to talk to Joseph about it.

The showing and the long lost daughter angle of her story made national headlines. Stoner, the handsome former senator gone bad, was always good grist for the journalistic mill. There was even a story the following weekend on a nationally syndicated magazine show. But what concerned Tabby most of all was the discussion of child abuse. There was no way to avoid it. Even though she had never named Tommy MacVie, those who’d known them in Asheville would know. Her name was a matter of public record. There’d been no way to keep that private. The one thing Tabby remembered all too well about Tommy MacVie—he always exacted his revenge.

Tabby continued to work on the painting of Richardson Homestead. She had lost her helper, though. Melodie had returned to school, and Tabby was feeling a little bit lonely during the day. Catherine and Stoner finished preparations for the wedding and reception Saturday. Joe was busy with calls. Even though they had decided to postpone a real honeymoon until Tabby was completely healed, he was trying to get things cleared off his calendar so he could take a few days off after the wedding.

Tabby paused with the brush in hand and smiled. She had worked hard with the physical therapist, who was extremely pleased with her progress. She could now walk on her own, though she used a cane some of the time to keep from overdoing it, and they were going to take her out of the shoulder immobilizer the following day so she could begin therapy. Jarrett Campbell had flown in over the weekend and had grinned at her.

“You’re a remarkable young woman, Tabby, and your recovery is nothing short of amazing.” He paused. “You’re getting married next weekend, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

He winked. “Other than watching what you do with that arm, I think you’re good to go for whatever else you have in mind.” When she blushed scarlet, he laughed. “Seeing you blush is about worth the plane ride down here and back.”

Tabby’s reflections were interrupted as Katie wrapped herself around her legs, and Tabby looked down to smile at the cat. Stoner had reluctantly given the okay for her to bring Katie to the Homestead. Joseph was staying in the guesthouse for the time being because Catherine had insisted on redecorating the parsonage for them. Tabby grinned. That was one upside of the week that remained until she and Joe would be together. The guesthouse gave them a chance to sneak a few minutes alone, though it seemed to her that Stoner spent more time than necessary hovering.

Thursday evening, Evan arranged a guys’ night, which taciturn Sam had somehow been talked into hosting. Jenny had turned Tabby bright red when she told her that Evan and Jake were determined to give Joe a few tips before his wedding night. So when she saw Joseph Friday morning, Tabby blushed. He had chuckled and pulled her into his arms.

“How… How was your evening?” she asked breathlessly.

He leaned in and kissed the side of her neck. “Very informative,” he growled against her ear.

“Joseph!”

He laughed. “We played cards, darling. While Sam and Evan smoked cigars and Evan drank bourbon, Jake and I proceeded to take their money. We play poker just about every month.” He looked around. “Where are Catherine and Stoner?”

“Catherine had something she was taking care of for the dinner at the club tonight, and Stoner is working in his shop. Melodie is at school, Peterson and the cook have gone shopping, and I just saw the maid go out to clean the guesthouse for us.”

He pressed her against his lean body. “So we have the house to ourselves?” At her nod, he wrapped his arms around her and began kissing her. “Mmm. One more day. Should we practice a bit?”

Tabby laughed softly. “Absolutely.”

They settled on the couch in the family room off the kitchen. Joseph pulled her onto his lap and gently stroked her cheek as he kissed her. As their mouths opened to each other, his hands moved over her, caressing her rib cage down to her hips and along her thigh. Tabby trembled, heat and desire building inside her. She slipped her hand between his shirt buttons to touch his chest and felt his instant response to her questing fingers. His hips shifted, his erection pressing against her bottom.

“I am so ready for this marriage,” he groaned against her. “It has been pure torture to keep my hands off you.”

She chuckled gently and wiggled a little on his lap. “I can tell. How much practicing can we do?”

Joe groaned as he leaned his forehead against hers. “Not too much more, or Stoner will shoot me.”

They heard a knock on the kitchen door. Tabby laughed. “That’s probably the florist. Catherine said she was expecting him this morning. I’ll get it since you’re a little indecent at the moment.” She blushed as her gaze dropped to the bulge in his slacks. Joe laughed as he tucked his shirt back in and smoothed his hair. “I’ll come help as soon as I calm down a bit.”

Tabby was still laughing as she opened the kitchen door.

“Well, Tabitha! Here you are getting ready for the wedding, and you didn’t even invite your papa?”

Her smile evaporated, and her heart thumped like a caged bird. Tommy MacVie filled the doorway, a faded John Deere cap pushed slightly back on his head. Old habits die slowly. Even as she cringed from him, she automatically stepped back, giving him room to walk in before she had time to think and shut the door.

“Papa,” she whispered faintly, automatically.

His eyes narrowed. “At least you remember who I am,” he hissed. “But I don’t hear enough respect in your voice, and you haven’t invited me in. Maybe what you need is a reminder.” He grabbed hold of her hair and jerked it as he examined her face. “Your lips are swollen. Have you been fornicating with your preacher before your wedding? Is that what you’ve been doing? Just like your mama, spreading your legs out of wedlock.”

“Don’t talk about Mama!” Tabby cried, but as weak as she still was, she didn’t dare do anything.

MacVie sneered. “You know your pitiful little story cost me my job?”

Her eyes widened in surprise, and he continued. “Didn’t realize you’d made national news, did you? Well, your daddy made sure to drag me through the mud, and they fired me at the plant. Looks to me like he’s well-to-do enough he should recompense me for everything you cost me.”

From behind them, Joseph spoke in a voice Tabby had never heard before. It was flat and cold. “Take your hands off her.”

MacVie spun Tabby around, making her cry out from pain as his hand yanked her hair again.

“You must be the preacher boy.” He eyed Joseph contemptuously. “Pretty thing, ain’t you? But pretty don’t mean shit. What are you going to do?
Pray
I release her?”

Joe walked slowly forward, his eyes never leaving MacVie. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me, Mr. MacVie, I said take your hands off Tabby. Do it now. If you want to hit someone, hit me. Stop putting your hands on women and children. That’s a coward and a bully’s way.
Hit me
! Or can’t you do that because I’m a grown man, so you run the risk I might hit back.”

Tabby’s eyes widened at the cold, measured fury in Joseph’s face. MacVie released her and shoved her aside. She staggered and caught herself against the kitchen table. Joseph stepped instantly between them, protecting her.

“I ain’t letting some pussy preacher from some heathen church tell me what to do. You’ll take your whippin’ like the boy you are!” He swung at Joseph, his eyes widening in surprise as Joseph expertly blocked the blow. He tried again, and again Joseph blocked him. Time after time, as MacVie pushed his attack, Joseph simply stopped him with his arm or a dodge of his body. “Why don’t you stand and fight like a man?” MacVie shouted in frustration. “Fight!”

How often over the years had she heard her stepfather’s voice raised in rage against her and her mother? Her instinct was to run, but she wouldn’t leave Joseph, whose calmness helped her with her own fears.

Joseph smiled. “That goes against my personal beliefs, Mr. MacVie. What kind of an example would I set for my congregation if I allowed myself to give in to the urge to pound you senseless for all the years that you took your temper out on a child?” Joseph stepped in close to MacVie and stared him down. “No matter how much of a scumbag you may be,
I
won’t hit you.”

Stoner Richardson’s big frame filled the doorway, and he snarled, “Fortunately for me, I don’t feel any such compunction!” He spun MacVie around and slammed his fist into the man’s face. The John Deere cap finally went flying. MacVie had just a moment for a surprised expression to cross his face before he dropped like a rock to the kitchen floor. Stoner stared down at him, then looked at Joseph and Tabby. “Y’all all right?”

When they both nodded, Stoner suddenly started shaking his hand back and forth in front of him. “Son of a bitch! That hurt! Damn! I guess I must not be as young as I once was. Call the sheriff, Joseph. I’ll take this trash outside until someone can come pick it up.”

Joseph grinned. “It would be my pleasure.”

He turned to Tabby who leaned, wide-eyed against the kitchen counter, and took her in his arms. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you anywhere?”

She shook her head. “Just scared me mostly.” She buried her face against his chest and shuddered. “I kept trying to convince myself he’d forget about me. But I think I always knew he’d be back.”

Joseph stroked her back. “Don’t worry, Tabby. We’ll take care of it. We’ll make sure he can’t come back to harm you again. Why don’t you go on into Stoner’s study while we take care of this? Do you need any help?”

Tabby looked down at MacVie. “No.”

* * * *

After Tabby left the room, Stoner sighed. “You know, Joseph, in the old days, I’d have been tempted to see Mr. MacVie met with an unfortunate hunting accident. You must be a good influence on me.”

“What makes you say that?” Joe asked.

“Now I’m only tempted to break both his kneecaps so he can’t ever walk again.”

Joe raised his brows. “I would be mighty tempted to agree with that plan, but I’ll call Sam. I’d prefer you be able to get off your electronic leash before too much longer.”

Stoner looked down at the unconscious man. “Me too. Call Sam. What a shame. It would have been one time I truly felt justified in being unscrupulous.”

Stoner grabbed MacVie by the collar, dragged him none too gently out the door, and down the back steps. He had just finished work in his shop when he’d heard the truck drive up. As he walked to the house, he had heard Tabby’s cry. It made him smile secretly to see the way Joe stood up for Tabby without ever compromising his own beliefs. That boy was going to do more good for this family than he even knew.

They were in luck. Sam had run by his farm to pick up something and came on over when he got the call. With an economy of movement, he snapped cuffs on MacVie and stuffed him into the backseat of the cruiser before he radioed in for a tow truck to come impound MacVie’s truck. He looked around at Sam and Joseph. “Tabby all right?”

Joe nodded. “Just shaken up a bit. She’ll be fine.”

Sam nodded and slipped behind the wheel of his cruiser. “I’ll see to this. I’ll send a deputy by in an hour. I’ll need statements.”

* * * *

By the following afternoon, Tabby had put MacVie out of her mind and sat in front of the mirror in the dressing room of the Baptist Church. Her eyes were wide and her smile shaky as she stared at Jenny and Holly while they attached the veil to her hair. Melodie sat in a chair nearby, swinging her legs and watching the way the puffy skirt on her dress bounced up and down with each movement.

“It’s almost time,” Jenny reminded softly. “Are you ready?”

Tabby nodded. A knock sounded on the door.

“Everybody dressed?” Stoner called through the wood panel.

“Come in, Daddy,” Tabby told him, her voice sounding a little shaky to her own ears. Stoner looked impressive in his morning suit with its gray vest and black and gray striped tie. His eyes glowed with pride as he looked at her.

“Ready, honey?” he asked gently. “Your groom already looks nervous even with Jake and Evan standing next to him.”

“I’m ready.” Tabby stood and hugged him carefully. “I love you so much,” she murmured. “I never thought when I came here that I would find so much. Not only did I gain a sister, I found an entire family and a better father than I could ever imagine.”

Stoner’s eyes met Jenny’s, and he held out his hand to her. The smaller woman stepped forward and linked her fingers with his. “Tabby, you helped us all find each other.”

“Time to go,” Stoner said. He took Tabby’s hand and tucked it through his arm. Jenny and Holly straightened her skirts, then their own. The church was filled with people. Many of Joseph’s congregation, friends of Stoner and Catherine, but Tabby noticed none of them. As she followed Melodie down the aisle, her eyes were only on Joseph. He did indeed look like an angel.

As their eyes met and held, Tabby realized she had experienced many miracles since she arrived in Mountain Meadow. She had found a sister, a brother, a father, and even a daughter. The family she had always longed to have. But the biggest miracle of all was the man standing at the altar. He loved her without hesitation or reserve.

When Stoner placed her hand in Joseph’s, she heard the tremble in her father’s voice and saw the sheen of tears in Joseph’s eyes. Tabby had never felt so sure of anything in her life as she was of this day, this moment, this man. There was no shyness or hesitation from either of them as they pledged their love.

When Reverend Calloway told Joseph he could kiss his bride, not a sound could be heard inside the Mountain Meadow Baptist Church. Joseph touched his lips to her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips. She couldn’t wait to start her marriage to this man—her lover, her angel, her friend. Their fingers twined together, and their eyes closed. When they parted, everyone clapped, and Tabby and Joseph blushed.