Twice in a Lifetime (Love Found) (27 page)

Jake sat beside Allie in the dark confines of his truck. “I feel like the earth just tilted.”

Allie nodded, then shook her head. “I can’t even… oh God, Jake. Poor Ben.”

“Yeah, all these years I’ve been mad at him. Thinking he was such an ass, stepping out on you. I mean, what was he thinking? I never even considered that maybe he suffered too.”

He started the ignition and backed out of Maggie’s driveway. Cars passed them, their headlights shining as he merged into freeway traffic. He needed this quiet time for contemplation. Pairing old beliefs with new knowledge, reconciling the two.

“I’ve spent a lot of time and energy learning to live with what I thought Ben did to me. It’s incredible, but even after all the pain he caused, I can still hurt for him. I wish he told me. We could have worked it out.”

No, Ben never would have done that. Jake checked the rear-view, moved out from behind a semi. “He would have protected you from anything, Allie. And he did try to tell me. It was the next day, after his… time… with Maggie. I stormed at him, called him everything hateful I could think of.” How many times over the years had he given that day a different ending? Full of guilt, he slammed a fist into the steering wheel. “Dammit, Allie, we were friends. I worked with him every day. Why couldn’t he talk to
me
about the child?”

With her palm soft and quiet on his arm the acid churning in his gut eased. His eyes flew to hers; the anguish there was not betrayed by her soothing voice.

“He should have let us help him. You knew Ben. You knew him with Trey. Can you imagine him having a child and having to sneak to spend time with her, hating that he had to? We planned elaborate parties for Trey, clowns and magicians and trips to the zoo, but he couldn’t even see Merrie on her birthday.”

“But he planned to give her up for you. For you and Trey.”

She pulled her arm away; he immediately felt the loss. “I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.”

He drove, lost in his memories. Exited and turned onto her street, and then into her driveway. He turned the key in the ignition and twisted to face Allie, shoveled his hair off his forehead. “He loved you a lot.”

She smiled, fingered a lock that tumbled back. “He loved us both.”

He captured her hand, laced their fingers across the console. “I’m glad we know what really happened.”

“So am I.” She shared a rueful smile. “I could live with what we imagined. But this is easier.”

“You okay?”

“I am.” It was true, she truly was. Not back to the place she started, but forward to a better place. The truth tore down the last of her barriers. She was already at peace in her new life. And now she was at peace with Ben. “I really am. How about you?”

“He was my best friend, even if his moral compass did point directly south, to his dick.” His grin quirked up one side of his mouth. “He was an ass.”

A laugh bubbled in her throat and escaped. “Yeah, he kind of was.”

Jake leaned forward to kiss her cheek. He climbed out of the truck and ran around to pull her door open, then helped her down until she stood on the driveway beside him. “How will Trey handle this?”

Her heart lurched. “I have no idea. It may be difficult.”

“I’m here.”

She lifted her eyes to Jake, who was there for her so many times, in so many different ways.

“I’m counting on it.”

Allie walked toward the door, then stopped and turned back, grinning.

“I still owe you a movie. Do you still want to come over on Sunday?”

“You up for it?”

“Sure. I’ve got one all picked out—it’s perfect.”

She met him at the door in a skimpy little tee and yoga pants. No way was he going to notice what they did to her ass.

“Streisand and Redford, it’s perfect. What could be more romantic than star-crossed lovers as political opposites in a controversial time in American history?”

The damn girl was nearly licking her chops in anticipation. “I’d rather have a kidney removed.”

“It’s tragic. I cry every time.”

She had that dreamy look in her eyes. The look usually associated with kittens and brand new babies. The look that played hell with his good intentions. “By the time it’s over I may cry with you. Please tell me you’re making something good for dinner.” The back of her hand slammed into his gut.
“Umph!”

“Pot roast.”

Halfway through the epic tale of Katie and Hubbell, he loved the movie. Well, not the movie as much as its effect on Allie. Tucked up against his side; she snuggled in with her head nestled against him, wadded tissues heaped beside her. Her hair smelled like spring flowers and her skin was as smooth as silk.

God bless a good old fashioned love story.

“Thanks again for dinner, the roast is delicious. I get tired of my own cooking.” Sitting across from Allie at her kitchen table seemed almost intimate tonight. He had flicked the CD player on. Adele. Carried candles in from the living room and turned off the overhead fixture. Did she notice it, too? His heartbeat knocked against his breastbone.

“I like your new glasses. They make you look very distinguished.”

He laughed with a scoop of potatoes hanging on his fork. “I finally chucked the readers. Life is so much easier when you can see what you’re doing.” With a two-fingered nudge he adjusted them on his nose. “Now tell me about your week.”

“I had another date last night.” She smiled, lifted her wine glass. “With Tom Gainey; you remember him.”

Yeah, he knew him. He used to like him, too, the rat bastard. He hunted for words that sounded supportive, but the best he could come up with was, “Really, how do you like that?” He didn’t, not one bit.

“I had an appointment on Thursday to go over Trey’s college fund and a few other investments and we got talking. I didn’t know his wife died. A year or so ago, I guess. Anyway, he asked me to dinner.”

“Did you have a good time?” Did he have you home early, drop you off at the curb?

“Well, dinner was good.” The devil was in her smile, along with the dimple that snagged his attention. “The company, not so much. All he talked about for over an hour was this type of bond, that type of mutual fund. I was afraid I’d fall asleep before dessert.”

“Maybe we should hook him up with Maggie.”

Allie laughed and stabbed a roasted carrot.

“I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy yourself.” And now he didn’t have to kick Tom Gainey’s ass. “Better luck next time.”

“Yeah, thanks. Until then I have my kids at school.” She forked a bit of meat. “Oh, and Maddie. We’re still training for that race in January.”

He let her ramble on about that as they finished dinner, then asked about the kids in her class, told her about the new office project in Cottonwood. Even though she had no interest in running the company, she’d always seemed interested in it.

Plates clanked and silverware jangled as he loaded the dishwasher. “I’ll be back a week from Sunday. Flying to Oregon next weekend.”

Allie finished wiping the table, rinsed out the dishcloth in the sink. “Oh? Business?”

He looped an arm across her shoulders, herded her back into the living room. “A family wedding. Should be fun.” He stayed until he caught Allie stifling a yawn in her own corner of the sofa, then left her there with a kiss to her forehead.

Allie set aside the worksheets she was marking and stretched to pick up the jangling telephone.

“Hello?”

“It’s Maddie. You busy?”

Allie stretched her legs out, propped her bare feet on the edge of the coffee table. “Hi, just finishing up worksheets, then I thought I’d bake cookies to send to the boys, maybe snickerdoodles this time. They can pass them around the dorm, make a few new friends. How are you doing with Jax gone, by the way?”

“You kidding?” The words erupted on a chuckle. “I’m better than good. No more hollow leg at the dinner table, and the girls’ schedules are a breeze compared to his. I feel like I have nothing but free time on my hands.”

It was easier for Maddie to laugh it off; her house wasn’t a silent tomb. “Well, enjoy it while you can.

Maddie let out a melodramatic sigh. “Yes, Em starts high school next year; my work begins again. I’ll call you for backup, Auntie Allie.”

“Nothing I’d love more.” Even Maddie didn’t know how much she enjoyed her daughters. Jake was the only person she ever told her deepest secret to. “So, what’s up?”

“I forgot to tell you the girls have orthodontist appointments before school tomorrow. Doctor Campbell is away fishing so his new partner will be seeing them. Anyway, I won’t be able to run.”

“We run every day, Maddie, I’ll see you tomorrow. If you’re worried about my safety, don’t.” She let the warmth in her voice bleed through the telephone connection. “I’m more concerned about you, dragging those girls kicking and screaming to their ortho appointment.”

Her cell phone rang on her way home the next day. She dug around in her purse until she located the source, dragged the device to her ear. “Hello?”

“Oh my goodness, he’s gorgeous!”

“Maddie? Who’s gorgeous?”

“Blake. The new orthodontist. He recently moved here from back east. Oh my goodness, as sweet as can be. I think Emily’s in love.” Maddie was as giggly as one of her daughters.

“Well, oh my goodness.” Maggie’s laughter was infectious so she giggled along. “Maybe they’ll actually enjoy wearing braces now.”

“I sure hope so. Emily and Tory have both fought the metal every step of the way.”

Trey fought his, too, back when he was thirteen. Ben was still alive.

“…so he said he would. That sounds nice, don’t you think?”

Oh no, what did she miss?
“Sorry, you lost me.
Said he would
what
, Maddie?”

“Blake mentioned he hadn’t made many friends yet.” She repeated it like she was speaking to a dimwitted child. “So I asked him over. Friday night at our house. We’ll invite people. Barbeque. Of course you’ll come.” Maddie seemed to have it all worked out. “Like I said, he’s hot. He’s single. Who knows, maybe something will come of it.” Ah, now Allie understood.

“Don’t get your hopes up. The last couple of men I met were perfectly nice guys until we went out.”

But Friday night, much to her amazement, she found herself having fun. Lots of fun that was leading absolutely nowhere. Blake Dobson
was
gorgeous. And witty, and charming, and intelligent. And
young
.

Allie grabbed her friend and dragged her around the corner, out of earshot. “Jeez, Maddie, when did he graduate from college, last week?”

“Now don’t get upset, he’s not as young as he looks. Besides, what’re a few years? You two could end up having a great time together.” Maddie gave Blake an exaggerated once over and waggled her eyebrows at Allie. “He’s in his
prime
. Can you imagine?” Maddie was practically drooling as she drew out the word.

She peered around the corner for another quick look. “A boy toy’s really not my style, Mad. Why don’t you set him up with one of the new girls at school? Like Ginny Tolover from fourth grade—she’s a lot closer to his age.”

Saturday morning Allie went for her usual run around the track. She did the laundry, vacuumed, dusted every item on every shelf—all in an effort to keep her mind occupied.

Why did Maddie think she would be interested in Blake? Did she seem desperate? It had only been a few weeks. She wasn’t ready to throw in the towel yet.

Maddie honked and Allie ran out, hopped into the car, blowing kisses at the girls in the back seat. She caught a flash of color as the girls grinned, and twisted her head around.

She cocked an eyebrow, shook her head, and grinned. “Orange, very festive.” The girls were a constant source of amusement. “You two ready for Halloween by any chance?”

“What do you think?” Tory slipped her long dark braid back over her shoulder and leaned forward, running her tongue over new stubbly rubber bands in the rear view mirror. “I think we look like we have Cheetos in our teeth, but Em likes it. Next month it’s my turn to pick the color. What’s a good color for Thanksgiving?” A new conversation erupted between the teenagers, fall colors and the excitement of the approaching holidays. Allie listened with half an ear, loving the sound of their giggles as they chattered.