Secrets Unveiled (11 page)

“You should go now.” She dropped the spoon and turned away from him, pressing her palms to the counter as she struggled for balance. “I have too much work to do to continue this conversation. There's another batch of cookies to bake and papers to grade.”

“In a minute. Those things can wait just a minute or two.” Grant's hands cupped her shoulders, turning her gently. “Look at me, Maggie…please.”

Slowly, she acquiesced, turning back him. Her lips trembled as she formed a single word. “What?”

As Grant leaned in, chocolate mingled with aftershave. It was the most delicious scent Maggie had ever experienced. His breath caressed her cheek like a whisper, making her skin tingle. “Just this…”

The kiss was light and oh, so gentle…merely a brush of his lips against hers, but the effect was electric. Maggie's knees turned to gelatin as her pulse raced.

“Grant…” Maggie wasn't sure whether the single word was a warning or a plea. Before she could figure it out, Grant released her and stepped back, putting distance between them once again.

“Ok, I'll go now,” he murmured. “But--I'm the one who made a mistake. There's no denying I did an awful, reckless, and selfish thing when I broke into your grandmother's house and took that locket. But it happened a long time ago, when I was young and stupid. I can't take back what I did, but I've learned to move forward. I've made my peace with God, and I'd like to make my peace with you, as well, Maggie, because I care about you more than I have a right to. I can't help it…It is what it is, and I'm not at all sorry for that.”

“You shouldn't care for me, Grant. It's a hopeless situation.”

“Nothing is truly hopeless…us included. I should have told you as soon as I realized the locket belonged to you, but I was scared of your reaction, and I wanted the chance for you to know me as I am now—not the way I once was. But you've judged me, Maggie, and denied my apology. Maybe I deserve that and maybe I don't. But believe me, right now I'm hurting as much as you are.”

“I've heard you, Grant…” Tears stung Maggie's eyes. Now, the weight of Grandma Nell's secret weighed heavily on her heart. Should she reveal who had helped him when his father turned his back? Oh, it was such a mess. Despite whatever happened between them, their lives would now be forever intertwined. “I've heard—and felt—every word that you've said.” She touched her lips as a tingle continued to dance over the tender skin. “But I need time to process all of this, so go. Please, just go.”

“That's fair enough. There's just one more thing.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and drew her ever-so-gently back to face him. “I don't know how you do it, Maggie, day-in and day-out with the kids in your class. All that energy…the personalities...you're nothing less than amazing. I was exhausted after one day in the classroom, but you…” He shook his head. “Working with the kids—igniting their curiosity—is truly a God-given talent that you've been blessed with. I'm glad I got to share at least a day or two with you. I hope there'll be more. God-willing, I'd like there to be more.”

“God might be willing, Grant, but my heart…it's not.”

“We'll see, Maggie…we'll just wait and see about that.”

9

The tide had turned.

Somewhere and somehow, over the past forty-eight hours or so, Maggie was drawn from the calm, low-water current of her non-adventurous life into a raging riptide of emotion. She was drowning fast—drowning in her feelings for Grant. But she couldn't…she shouldn't allow the rapids to take her under.

The praise team's music drifted softly as the church service prepared to start. Though the sanctuary had quickly filled to near-capacity, Maggie had lingered so deep in prayer that she'd remained oblivious to the people around her. Now, she turned her attention toward the front of the church—toward the cross—and drew a deep breath as she reminded herself that despite all that had transpired, God was still in control.

“Hi, Miss Andrews.”

Maggie lifted her head to find Gemma poised at her side, clothed in a yellow polka-dotted dress and wearing a pair of black patent-leather shoes with lace-cuffed socks. Her corkscrew curls were pinned back with a bright yellow bow, yet the ringlets still managed to spring in a halo about her head. The fiery strands seemed to glow as sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows washed over them. “Hi, Gemma. How are you today?”

“Fine.” She held a small box of crayons and a Bible coloring book that the children's department set out each Sunday morning for the kids in attendance. “Can we sit here with you?”

“We?”

“Uh huh…me and Uncle Grant.”

Maggie followed Gemma's hand gesture to find Grant a few steps down the aisle. The sight of him in pressed khaki's and a navy polo took her breath away. For a moment, she forgot they were at odds. She swallowed hard and slid farther down the bench. “Sure, honey. I'll scoot over a bit.”

Gemma snuggled in beside her, hip to hip, as Grant paused in the aisle way. His gaze was shadowed with questions, his eyes weary, and Maggie wondered if his nights had been as restless as hers. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Maggie nodded slightly and patted the wooden bench. Her heart stung for the pain she and Grant had caused one another. Though she knew their words and deeds could never be retracted, she wished, with all her soul, that the hurt might somehow be washed away. She lifted her gaze to connect with Grant's “Where's Cara?”

“She's on call this weekend, and she just got paged to the ER as she was on her way here with us. There's been a four-car pile-up on I-40 West. No firm details yet, but she was summoned just in case so she dropped us off and went.”

“Oh my goodness…” Maggie pressed a hand to her mouth and paused for a moment as she considered that someone—or two or three—was seriously hurt. No matter how many times she heard of accidents along that stretch of the interstate, the news never became run-of-the-mill. She knew a crash might mean a child lost a parent…a husband his wife. “I hope everyone is OK.”

“Me, too.” Grant slid into the bench at Gemma's other side and leaned back, folding one leg over the other. “I added the accident to the prayer requests as we came in.”

“Good…that's good, Grant.” Maggie plucked a piece of lint from the hem of her linen dress as she swallowed hard. What if Grant had been the one in that accident? What if he got hurt…or worse? She'd have to live the rest of his life never telling him how she truly felt. Could she manage that? “It's good to see you. I've…missed you.”

“I've missed you, too, Maggie.” Grant reached across the bench-back and gathered a lock of her hair between his fingers. He let his arm rest there as he spoke. “I didn't realize how much until I saw you again…here, today.”

“Me, too.”

That counted for something, didn't it? Exactly what that something might be, Maggie still wasn't sure. She lifted her hand to her chest and fingered the locket that lay over her breastbone…nestled lightly against her heart.

As the praise team kicked the music up to full volume, Pastor Ketchings stepped to the altar to lead the song. There was no more time for conversation as Grant joined in. The sanctuary came suddenly alive and, with each word she sang, Maggie felt the tune was a prayer straight to her heart.

Gemma tapped Maggie on the forearm and cupped a hand to her mouth, whispering, “Can I hold your hand, Miss Andrews?”

“I'd like that.”

“I wanted to bring Oscar,” Gemma confided as she slipped her tiny hand into Maggie's and squeezed. “But Mama wouldn't let me. Don't you think dogs need church, too?”

“I'll have to ponder a bit concerning that one, but for now I wouldn't argue with your mom on that count.” Maggie stifled a grin as silent prayers ran like a flowing river along with the music…there was so much to talk about with her Heavenly Father today.

****

Grant felt as if the praise song spoke directly to him. The words washed over him in tsunami of overwhelming emotion carrying a message that seemed to say, Leave the past behind and walk with Me. Your sins are cast away forever…gone for good. You are renewed…new in Me.

He'd heard the song a hundred—perhaps even a thousand—times before, yet the tune held such a powerful message…one Grant really needed to hear again, considering all that had happened the past few weeks.

He'd stamped a seal on the largest merger of his career, yet he felt unfulfilled by the success. Something was still missing. Grant knew exactly what that was, yet he had no idea how to secure what he longed for…what he needed.

But he knew in his heart he was in the right place. He thought of the message on the prayer stone his mom had given him years ago, merely weeks before her death. She, unlike Grant's father, had always been a believer.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. Psalm 37:5

Though the words were quickly burned in Grant's memory, they were simply that—a string of words—for the better part of his youth. Then the locket came into play, and he was arrested, disgraced, and suddenly everything changed. The very meaning of those words…their powerful message…became more than a string of syllables; they were sewn into the very fiber of Grant's daily walk.

On top of this morning's music, Pastor Ketchings's sermon covered forgiveness, of all things. At one point Maggie turned Grant's way as if to ask, “Did you special-order this one?”

Well, he couldn't have done better if he'd planned the service himself, but perhaps Grant had special-ordered the words via prayer. As the closing song faded, he turned his gaze toward the cross and, though his voice resonated in his head alone, his lips moved to form the heartfelt words.

God, have you returned from that vacation now? I need you on my watch. I can't manage this alone.

Something bumped his knee and Grant turned to find Maggie slinging a purse strap over her shoulder.

“You'll need a ride, won't you?” she asked. The crowd had begun to disperse, and the benches around them emptied. “Or has Cara returned?”

“No, she just texted to say they have two critical patients and one who's in fairly serious condition. She's going to have to hang around the ER for a while to take help care of things.”

“I can take you home, if you'd like.”

“What about the park, Uncle Grant?” Gemma tugged at his pant leg. “You and Mama said we'd go after church so I can play.”

“Plans have changed, Gemma.” Grant leaned in to smooth her unruly hair. Her face was sticky and her lips stained purple from a grape lollipop he'd smuggled in for her. “Your mom is stuck at the hospital. Those people who were in the wreck need her help.”

“Can't we go?” Gemma rarely whined, but she was on the verge now. “You promised, too. And last time it rained so we didn't get to go, either. I wanna go, Uncle Grant. Please and pretty please.”

“Gemma…” Grant sighed. Here it come's…the meltdown. And Grant couldn't really blame the kid. Things had been awfully crazy the past few weeks. Cara had worked double her normal hours and the fallout over the locket…well, it had taken a toll on all of them. “I'll take you later this afternoon.”

“But the sky looks mad again. What if it rains?”

“I have an idea.” Maggie slipped from the pew and rounded them. “How about we hit a drive through and grab a boxed lunch? How's chicken sound? We can take it to the park for a picnic and then you can play for a while, Gemma, until the storms move in. What do you say?”

“Yeah!” Gemma hopped up and down with a flurry of tiny claps. “I say let's go.”

Grant rose and stepped forward. “Maggie, if you have plans…”

“I do have plans—a picnic lunch with my most inquisitive student…and her handsome uncle.”

“Handsome?”

“Yes, I'd say that.” Maggie winked. “Now, let's go while the sun is still peeking through the clouds.”

10

“What would you have done if you hadn't gone to college?” Maggie asked as she gathered soiled wrappers and containers and stuffed them back into the take out bag. Her belly was pleasantly full, and for the first time in days, she felt a sense of peace. She glanced at the sky and noticed the clouds were shifting off to the east. Finally, the meteorologists had missed in their favor. “Do you think you'd still own an investment company?”

“Are you kidding? No way would that be in the cards. I'd probably still be running the streets, mad at the world.” Grant sipped his sweet tea as the breeze nipped at his hair. His eyes were dark against the sunlight, and haloed today by a ring of gold at the outer edge of each iris. “My time at college, the knowledge I garnered there as well as the opportunity to figure out where I was headed…to mature, saved me.”

“How did you decide on the University of Tennessee? I remember the time or two we discussed college placement during classes you always insisted you planned to go as far away as you could manage.”

“I thought I would…for a while I despised living here. But it wasn't the town I disliked, it was the circumstances. I realized it was pointless to run. I needed to face things, to stand up to my dad and forge my own path. It was the only way I'd make it and not turn out like…him.” He studied her over the rim of his paper cup as he drew another long sip. “So I did my research and learned UT was the best fit for what I wanted. My dad had other plans, though. He wanted me to go to his alma mater. He talked about it constantly, as if it were already a done-deal. I guess that made me want to defy him even more. Back then, I would do anything just to get under his skin. I don't know now, though…looking back heading east may have not been such a bad thing. But those days, I equated following in his footstep with ending up like him.”