A Matter of Destiny (16 page)

She'd always been concerned with the proper image and was badly failing her own standards. Or did it matter so much what people thought? Was it a weakness to care, or a strength?

Sharon found it difficult to judge her own emotions when they were in such shambles.

She wondered if Joe felt like she was leading him on, or using him for her own purposes. She wouldn't be surprised if he did feel used. Whenever he'd tried to get close, she'd told him she wasn't ready.

What were
his
intentions? Were they as innocent as they seemed? There were other unattached females in Hollow Bend he could be spending his time with.

Why did he choose to be with her and the boys?

The question puzzled Sharon far into the night, when she should have been sleeping. Suddenly, the answer became very, very important.

The kitchen was crowded for breakfast the next morning. It was Saturday, and the children were boisterous as befitting a weekend, while on school days, they resembled incoherent zombies. Sharon had never figured that one out.

She stirred the eggs and milk for French toast, while David made the orange juice and Luke entertained the younger children. Paula hadn't come downstairs.

Melanie was busy setting the table, stealing a glance at David every now and then. Sharon wondered if the two teenagers had reached an understanding.

"Will you take over for a minute, Melanie? I want to check on your mother." Sharon was glad Paula was getting her rest, but thought she should eat, too.

She realized at that moment that she had a lot of her mother in her.

Sharon knocked softly, then slipped into the master bedroom and said with a forced cheerfulness, "Good morning."

Paula was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in the same wrinkled clothes she'd worn last night. The flannel gown Sharon had loaned her was folded neatly on the dresser.

"The kids are whipping up a great breakfast. Ready to come down?"

Paula gave her a faint smile. "I guess so. I feel foolish now, letting the kids in on our argument."

Sharon sat beside her. "Kids are pretty tough. They might be relieved it's all out in the open."

Paula pushed off the bed with a great show of reluctance and followed Sharon downstairs. The drifting aroma of maple syrup greeted them, stirring Sharon's appetite.

She hadn't heard Father Simmons come in, but he was sitting at the table with the others, enjoying a piece of French toast.

Paula balked. "I don't want to see him now," she groaned under her breath.

Sharon pulled her into the kitchen and murmured, "Come on, he won't bite." That wasn't much consolation to someone as shy as her friend.

The white-haired priest looked up and greeted them. "Sit down and eat, ladies, before it's all gone." He chuckled and reached for another helping.

"I'm stuffed," Melanie said. "Sit here, Mom."

"I'll sit next to you," Sharon told Paula. She tapped Luke on the shoulder. "You
are
done, aren't you, son?" He started to object, but after another look from his mother, he got up.

"Right. I am." When he stood, though, he frowned in annoyance.

He probably could have eaten steadily for another half hour or so, his mother mused, depending how long the food held out. Sharon watched Paula on the sly and was relieved her friend managed one piece of toast.

Father Simmons tried to talk to her, but Paula didn't have much to say.

After they'd finished, Sharon suggested the adults move into the living room with their coffee. The younger generation left for the skating rink.

Sharon wanted no distractions while they talked to the pastor.

When the women were settled on the couch, with the priest facing them, Sharon cleared her throat with a nervous sound. Had she done the right thing, bringing these two together? She wasn't sure Paula would forgive her for this, but she plunged ahead anyway.

"Paula, I asked Father to stop by and see if he could help you and Ty in some way."

The glitter in Paula's eyes told Sharon she was angry, but Paula's good manners were too ingrained to say anything in front of the clergyman.

He spoke in a gentle tone to ease the tension. "Don't be afraid of me, young lady. I'd like to help, if I can."

Paula was silent as if gathering her thoughts. Then slowly, haltingly, she began to tell him her story.

"I really love my husband, Father, but something's made him very unhappy, and he won't tell me what it is."

"Do you think he'd talk to me?" the priest asked.

Paula shook her head. "That's the trouble. He's very proud and would consider himself less a man if he couldn't solve his own problems."

Father Simmons gave her a gentle smile. "We all need help somewhere along the way, my dear. It takes a big person to admit it and accept it."

Paula nodded slowly, forgetting her inhibitions and warming to the subject that was so vital to the survival of her marriage. "Oh, I agree. I just have to convince my husband."

The priest chuckled. "I have a feeling you could convince him of anything once you put your mind to it."

Paula tilted her head. "You think so?"

The unmistakable roar of Ty's four-wheel drive pulled into Sharon's driveway.

Paula's breathing stilled, and perspiration broke out on her upper lip. "He's here." Her face was pale, but determined.

Chapter Seven

"Do you want me to talk to him?" the priest asked.

Paula hesitated, biting her lower lip. "Better let me try first."

She stood and took firm steps toward the door. Inhaling deeply, she went outside to face her husband.

Sharon smiled at the pastor. "Thank you, Father. I think it helped Paula to talk to someone who's unbiased."

"It usually does," he said softly. "It's always good to know we're not alone." He glanced out the window. "If they love each other enough..." He suddenly sounded very tired.

It must be difficult, Sharon thought, to carry so many burdens on those frail shoulders. She'd never known him to feel sorry for himself or to refuse a call for help.

Everything had been quiet outside, but now they heard Ty and Paula's voices raised in anger. "I'm not gonna talk to a preacher."

"Then you can go on home without me, Ty Banner. Things have got to change. If you won't talk to me or Father Simmons, you have to talk to someone." She paused, then, "We can't go on like this."

Sharon was surprised. She'd never known her friend to take such a strong stand on anything. She knew what an effort it took.

Ty's retort splintered the morning. "You're making a mistake, Paula. I want you to come home with me now."

No answer from Paula. The next thing they heard was the truck start up and screech out of the driveway.

Paula didn't come in right away, and Sharon was about to go look for her. The door opened, and they saw the distressed expression on her face. Then she sank onto the couch as if drained of all strength.

"Good for you, young lady."

"What? I've only made him madder."

He smiled, his blue eyes kind. "As I said, good for you. He'll be back, you can be sure of that."

Paula shook her head. "No, you don't know his pride. I should have gone with him. I should have..."

"No, you did exactly right. Give him time to think. When his mind's a little clearer, he'll want to talk."

Paula's mouth trembled slightly. "You really think so?"

The elderly priest nodded. "When he's ready to seek help, will you bring him to me?"

Paula stared at him, her brows drawn into a frown. Then, her facial muscles relaxed. "I'll try."

Father Simmons picked up his black hat from the coffee table and said, "Don't forget. Call if you need me." He glanced at Sharon, too, when he said it, and winked.

As they walked to the door, she said, "Thank you, for everything."

"Don't mention it." He touched a hand to his hat, then said goodbye.

"Do you really think Ty will come back?" Paula asked.

Sharon smiled thoughtfully. "Yes, I do. So, we'd better get the dishes done before I get stuck with them."

They laughed together and went into the kitchen. She paused to wonder what Joe was doing.

Sharon tried to keep Paula busy throughout the day, but realized her friend was becoming increasingly agitated. She'd been hopeful at first, but now several hours had passed since Ty's visit.

"He isn't coming," Paula cried, after staring out the window for the umpteenth time.

Sharon put her arm around her. "He will, I'm sure he will." She hoped Father Simmons was right as she assured her friend. What if Ty didn't return? Then, what?

About an hour later, they heard the familiar rumble coming down the road. Paula ran to the front window as Ty's red truck pulled in.

"Now, calm down," Sharon said. "He's probably thought it through, and you'll be able to talk to him. But let him come to you."

The kids were going to the afternoon matinee after the morning skating session, so the couple would be able to have their discussion in private.

"I'm going for a walk," she said, but doubted if Paula heard her. Her friend's gaze was riveted on the man coming up the steps.

Sharon grabbed a navy blue pea jacket and went out the back door just as Ty reached the front.

This reminded her of the fights she and Tom used to have. Sometimes she'd wondered if it was worth the effort to hold a marriage together. Now she knew that it was.

The good far outweighed the bad if you tried hard enough. Sharon turned toward the river. It gave her spirit a lift to breathe in the fresh air. It was too early in Idaho for spring flowers, but the trees were displaying a new covering of leaves.

Joe's familiar figure came into view, and Sharon felt a surge of happiness she couldn't explain. It was enough that he was there.

When he drew closer, she said softly, "Hi, don't I know you?"

Joe grinned broadly as if he was just as glad to see her. They stood looking at one another for a long moment. "Going my way?" he asked. His jaw was shadowed with a day's growth.

She replied in a teasing tone, "And which way is that?"

"Does it matter?"

It seemed as if he meant something more than a walk, and she wasn't sure how to answer. He often spoke with double meanings to his words, she thought. He took her hand, and she had to hurry to keep up with him. She loved the feel of his roughened skin against hers. They strolled in companionable silence until Sharon remembered to thank him for his rescue the night before.

His touch had nearly robbed her of her manners.

"Glad to help," he replied, then asked, "Have they talked it over yet?"

"Father Simmons came to see Paula this morning, and Ty drove up a few minutes ago. I hope he was ready to talk sensibly." She glanced at him. "By the way, what happened last night?"

"Ty wasn't too pleased with himself when he realized that he might have lost his wife. Luckily, he passed out on my sofa while insisting on going back to your place."

"You mean, he stayed with you?"

"I thought I'd better keep an eye on him. He drank several cups of coffee this morning, then said he wanted to talk to Paula. You'd told me that the priest was coming over, so I decided to stay out of it." He squeezed her hand. "Didn't Ty show up earlier?"

"Yes, but he was very demanding, and Paula told him to go away. I think that's the first time she's ever stood up to him." Sharon shook her head. "I hope things work out between them."