Music of the Heart(98)

“He wasn’t?”

“Although he gave me the greatest gift of my life, Jacob, I could never feel for Mark what I did for Yuri. He was a dancer in one of the traveling companies I was in. We dated for years, and when I refused to marry him because I thought we were too young, he went out and slept with another dancer to hurt me. Although he apologized for weeks and months, I was stubborn, and I wouldn’t forgive him. He finally gave up and moved on, and I’ve regretted it all this time. A couple of years after Yuri is when Mark came into my life.” She gave me a wry smile. “Jake’s never been able to understand how I could forgive Mark for leaving me, but the truth was I just didn’t love him like I should, so it didn’t hurt as much.”

Speechless, I could only murmur, “Wow.”

She smiled. “So in the future when there are times you want to strangle Jacob or he’s tested your love, just remember that forgiveness is so much easier than regret.”

“I will. You have my word.”

She pulled me into a tight embrace. Both her words and her emaciated frame caused tears to prick my eyes. She rubbed wide circles over my back. “Sweet Abby, you’re an answer to a prayer. My Jacob is very, very lucky to have you. Don’t doubt for one second that I won’t constantly remind him that for as long as I have left.”

With tears streaking down my cheeks, I couldn’t reply at first. Finally, I choked off a, “Thank you.”

As she pulled away, she cupped my chin. “Do you know there’s an old saying that for every tear you shed for someone else’s grief, it takes one off of their suffering?”

“Really?” I hiccupped.

She nodded while swiping the tears off my cheeks. “So you’ve just managed to take a few off of Jacob.”

“I’m glad. I’d do anything for him,” I replied.

Susan smiled. “But no more tears, honey. Let’s just enjoy the time we have left together. Okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed.

“And speaking of time, I’m pretty sure it’s time to go check on how many little ‘presents’ Angel might’ve deposited in the house.”

I laughed. “Let’s give that job to Jake since it was his idea to give me a puppy.”

Susan’s eyes widened. “Oh honey, I do like your thinking!”







Lounging on an old patchwork quilt, I reclined my head to get a better view of the blackened sky encrusted with twinkling stars. With her back against my chest, Abby signed with contentment. “Gosh, that is so beautiful,” she remarked.

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured into her ear.

She rubbed my arms that were wrapped tightly around her before tilting back to bestow a kiss on my cheek. “Aw thank you baby. You say and do the sweetest things for me.”

“So you like this surprise?”

Glancing over her shoulder at me, she grinned. “Yes, this was another good surprise.”

It was our last night together before Abby had to leave, and I had intended to make it as special as I could. I wanted it to be just the two of us—no friends or crowds. So I had decided on a twilight picnic down by the lake on my grandfather’s property. It was miles and miles off the main road, and you had to get to it either with an ATV or a Jeep. Nestled within a few rolling hills, it boasted breathtaking views of the mountains.

We had already finished the dinner I’d gotten from Abby’s favorite restaurant, Longhorn’s. We were just making a dent in the dessert—my mama’s homemade Strawberry Shortcake—as the sun began making its decent in the horizon. I’d nestled Abby in my arms so we could experience our first sunset together. Now that it was over we were stargazing as light flickered around us from the votive candles lining the blanket’s edges.

“Want some more cake?” Abby asked.

“Sure.” I eased my grip on her so she could reach the plate.

Taking the fork, she cut off a piece and swiveled in my lap to bring it to my mouth. She in turn took a bite as well. “That’s sooo good,” she murmured. As I chewed, I took my finger and dipped it into the cool whip lining the plate. I then covered Abby’s top and bottom lips. Leaning in, I kissed her deeply, licking and tasting the sweetness off her mouth.

“Now that’s good,” I murmured against her lips.

“Mmm, hmm,” she replied dreamily before she turned around to rest her back against my chest.

Pulling the long shroud of her hair back, I kissed a moist trail down her neck and across her shoulder. When I got to her sundress strap, I tugged it down, causing part of her breast to spill over the cup. I nibbled on her shoulder as my fingertips feathered over the exposed part of her breast.