The Letter(61)

His phone rang in his hand, and he looked at the caller ID. Maddy.

He slid his finger across the screen and answered the call.

“Gil, I missed your call. Sorry. Couldn’t get to my phone fast enough. I was just getting ready to call you. I have news.”

Maddy’s voice came over the cell, crystal clear. He’d missed that voice. Missed it when it was filled with laughter. Missed it when she was teasing him. He soaked in ever timbre of her voice, letting it wash over his soul and give him hope.

“I have news too, Maddy. We need to talk.”

“Okay, but I’m going first. I found Paul. We’re leaving in just a bit and coming to Comfort Crossing. We’ll be there tomorrow.”

“No kidding! That is great news. Where did you find him?”

“At a gallery in Kansas City. That’s where we are now. It will take a day and a half, I’m guessing, to get there. He wants to surprise Josephine.”

“Oh, it will be a surprise, that’s for sure.”

“Well, I was thinking. Do you think you could find a way to get her out to their tree without her getting suspicious? Like just ask her if she wants to go for a drive, and maybe then ask her to show you the tree where they met?”

“I will try, but listen, I need to talk to you.”

“Here comes Paul. We need to leave now. Will you call me when you find out if you can get Josephine to the tree tomorrow?”

“I will. But when you get to town, I need to talk to you.”

“Okay.”

“Drive safely, Maddy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Gil could have skipped all the way back to the Feed and Seed like a schoolboy the way he was feeling now. Aunt Josephine and Paul were finally going to see each other again. He was going to have a chance to talk to Maddy in person and explain his thoughtless behavior. He’d make things right. He’d spend forever winning her back if that’s what it took.





CHAPTER TWENTY





Bella pulled her car into the drive leading to her ex-husband’s house. She needed to talk to him. She was mad at herself that she’d let her ex—once again—control her life. She felt like she’d made a snap decision to break up with Owen, but she’d been so frightened when Rick had threatened to take the boys away from her if she continued to see Owen, much less let him near the boys.

Jeremy had said that Owen had pushed him, but she didn’t really believe that. Her son was known for his exaggerations. Or outright lies these days. She sighed.

Bella wasn’t sure about anything anymore. She was questioning all her decisions. But, if she admitted the truth, Jenny and Becky Lee had been right. She was letting Rick control her life. Jeremy was getting more—she didn’t even know what to call it—smug and demanding, maybe? It had to change, that much she was sure of. She was going to talk to Rick, then Jenny and Becky Lee. Then, if Owen ever came back to town, she was going to talk to him. Ask forgiveness. Explain how she’d just been so scared. Maybe he’d understand. Maybe he wouldn’t want anything to do with her. But she sure as all get out was going to try.

Rick had the boys tonight, but she was going to ask to speak to him privately. She climbed the steps to the front door and rang the door bell. No one answered. She knocked briskly on the wooden door. Still no answer. Maybe it was a sign? No, she wasn’t going to start wavering now. Maybe they were out in the back on the patio. It was a nice warm day. She’d just peek around the back and see if anyone was out there.

She walked around the side of the house and paused when she heard Jeremy’s excited voice. She wasn’t eavesdropping. Not exactly.

“Yep, that Owen guy hasn’t been around for a while. Not since I told Mom that he pushed me and that’s how I cut my hand.”

“Glad he’s gone.” Rick’s voice was clearly heard coming from the back patio.

“He didn’t really push me, I just tripped. I tried everything to make him leave. Nothing worked. But I wanted to get him in trouble so he’d quit coming around. So I told Mom that he pushed me.”

“I know son, but it’s best you not share that with your mother.” Rick laughed.

He laughed. And he was telling his son to lie to his mother.

Bella stomped around the corner of the house.

“Jeremy Hardy. You made up that story that Owen pushed you?” She whirled and turned on Rick. “And you are sitting here telling him to lie to me?”

Jeremy moved closer to his father.

“So, first off, Jeremy. You, young man, are grounded.”

Jeremy turned to Rick. “Aw, Dad, I’m not grounded, am I?”

“Look, Bella—”